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p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:30 Page 1
MOL to deploy remotely
controlled robots on ships
Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is testing
remotely controlled ships onboard its vessels to make shipping
operations safer and more efficient.
M
OL recently signed
a memorandum of
understanding (MoU)
with Tokyo-based
cyborg technology company MELTIN
to introduce MELTIN’s remote-
control robotic technology for adop-
tion in MOL’s ocean shipping-related
operations.
MELTIN's robotic technology is
being developed to be used in areas
such as dangerous, time-consuming
work, or duties done in extremely
high and low-temperature environ-
ments. The cyborg technology aims to
transcend the physical limitations of
human bodies and create a society in
which humans can achieve their max-
imum potential. For MOL and other
shipping companies, it is anticipated
that such technology will not only
make shipping operations safer, but
MOL’s car carrier, the Beluga Ace
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MELTIN’s remotely controlled avatar robot, MELTANT-β
also reduce the workload on seafar-
ers, particularly in tasks that present
challenges to hands-on operation.
MELTIN’s avatar robot for field
testing is known as MELTANT-β and
can be used in environments that are
not suitable for autonomous robotics.
Both MOL and MELTIN have
repeatedly studied the possibility of
addressing a wide variety of issues in
the ocean shipping industry by intro-
ducing the robotic technology. Major
advances have been made in the
high-speed onboard telecommunica-
tion environment in recent years.
MOL expects synergistic effects by
ADVANCED MARITIME
CONNECTIVITY
& CYBER SECURITY
SOLUTIONS
combining improved telecommunica-
tion with MELTIN's remote-control
robotic technology.
The companies will push forward
more discussion and action to study
details specific to different vessel
types and routes for introduction
of remotely controlled robots and
associated technologies, with an
eye toward not only determining
the feasibility of introduction and
the level of onboard telecommunica-
tion technology required at sea, but
also implementing Proof of Concept
(PoC), which assumes practical
use. DS
October /
November 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
Advanced Tech
Why integration and
collaboration are key
for data-driven decision
making - 4
Evergreen renews 22-year contract with
Kongsberg Digital - 6
Leveraging the power of data - 14
Cybersecurity
Elcome launches new virus
protection tool - 16
GTMaritime updates GTDeploy for cyber
protection - 16
Speedcast and HudsonCyber team up to
help companies regain cyber control - 18
Satcoms
Catching up with Mr Sulaiman
Al Ali, CEO of Thuraya - 24
Providence acquires majority shareholding
in Marlink for $1.4bn - 22
Spire Global to acquire exactEarth - 28
Software
BunkerMetric and Veson
collaborate to optimise
bunker procurement - 30
SOL-X introduces SmartWatch for seafarers
- 33
Wärtsilä cloud simulation added to OTG’s
Ocean Learning Platform - 36
p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:30 Page 2
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Vol 22 No 2
Digital Ship Limited
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Sea Machines prepares vessel for 1,000 mile autonomous voyage
www.sea-machines.com
Sea Machines Robotics will embark on a
1,000 nautical mile autonomous and
remotely commanded journey around
Denmark in late September.
The project, known as The Machine
Odyssey, will see the modern ubiquitous
tug named the Nellie Bly depart from
Hamburg, Germany, on September 30,
with full onboard vessel control managed
by autonomous technology, while operat-
ing under the authority of commanding
officers located in the United States.
The vessel has been designed and built
by Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands
and its name, Nellie Bly, pays homage to
the American journalist, industrialist,
inventor and charity worker who was
widely known for her ultra-bold and
record-breaking solo trip around the world
in 72 days.
The project is named The Machine
The Nellie Bly. Source: Arie Boer, Marine Traffic
Flagship Founders start-up automates cargo ship crew changes
www.tilla.tech
Tilla Systems, a new start-up founded by
company builder Flagship Founders, has
developed a smart platform for the auto-
mated planning and execution of cargo
ship crew changes.
Tilla uses API interfaces to integrate all
its essential data sources. Crew data are
pulled from existing systems like the
Hanseaticsoft Cloud Fleet Manager or
flight data from Amadeus, eliminating the
need for manual updates. A machine
learning algorithm proposes the best time
and place for a crew change.
“We’ve collated all the information,
parameters and parties on one single plat-
form, and employ data mining techniques
to cut processing and travel costs. This
allows better, more efficient decision-mak-
ing about when and where a crew change
should take place,” explained Niklas
Weidmann, founder and CEO at Tilla.
As well as including every stage from
planning to reporting, the platform groups
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 2
Odyssey, which translates to a long pur-
pose-driven and eventful journey and
harks to Homer’s Odyssey, which for mil-
lennia has inspired humanity by Ulysses’
and his crew’s courage to undertake a voy-
age of discovery and adventure.
This voyage will prove that operators
can integrate autonomous technology into
their vessel operations for a host of tech-
nology-driven benefits, from enhanced
safety and reliability to leaps in productiv-
ity and new on-water capabilities. The
Machine Odyssey marks a new era in the
human-technology relationship propelling
on-sea operations in the 21st century.
Sea Machines SM300 autonomy system
will be installed onboard the vessel. It is a
comprehensive sensor-to-propeller auton-
omy system that uses advanced path-plan-
ning, obstacle avoidance replanning, vec-
tored nautical chart data and dynamic
domain perception, all to control a voyage
from start to finish.
all important information (e.g. current
travel restrictions or transport routes) in
one place, reacts instantly to last-minute
changes, and suggests viable alternatives.
The high level of automation not only
saves a significant amount of time and
money but also focuses more closely on
key aspects of crew management, such as
recruitment and training.
One of Tilla Systems’ first customers is
Hamburg’s shipping company Peter Döhle
Schiffahrts-KG.
“Crew changes are extremely fragment-
ed, dynamic and costly processes making
them the perfect point to introduce digital
solutions. With Tilla’s support we can keep
a closer eye on crew changes, process
information more quickly and efficiently,
and ensure all our collaborations run
smoothly,” said Johann Diercks, ship man-
agement director at Peter Döhle
Schiffahrts-KG. “We can streamline our
processes and offer our customers the best
possible service.”
The platform’s official launch is sched-
The SM300 provides the remote human
commanders with an active chart environ-
ment with live augmented overlays show-
ing the mission, state of vessel, situational
awareness and environmental data, as well
as real-time, vessel-born audio and video
from many streaming cameras.
“From time immemorial the oceans
have driven the best of human innovation,
designed and built by architects and engi-
neers, and deployed by a select and special
group of people, mariners, that much of
society relies on today and evermore in the
future for the supply of food, power,
water, goods and transport. And as a tech-
nology space leader, Sea Machines takes it
as our duty to embark into new waters,
motor through any and all fog of uncer-
tainty, and prove the value within our
planned technology course,” said Michael
Johnson, CEO of Sea Machines.
“Just as other land-based industries
shift repetitive, manual drudgery from
human to predictable robotic systems, our
autonomous technology elevates humans
from controller to commander with most
of the direct continuous control effort
being managed by technology. This recast
human-technology relationship is the basis
of a new era of at-sea operations and will
give on-water industries the tools and
capability to be much more competitive,
end the erosion of high-value cargo to air
and road, put more vessels on water, oper-
ate in better harmony with the natural
ocean environment and deliver new prod-
ucts and services.”
Throughout the voyage the Nellie Bly
will carry two professional mariners and
occasional guest passengers and will call
on ports along the route to display and
demonstrate the technology. Sea Machines
will stream the journey live on a website
dedicated to The Machine Odyssey for all
to have access to 24/7 updates from the
sea, the crew, the command centre, and
more.
Niklas Weidmann, founder
and CEO at Tilla
uled for this year’s fourth quarter. Tilla
plans to use the new system on around 150
ships where it oversees crew management.
p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 3

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p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 4

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Why integration and collaboration are

key for data-driven decision-making
Late last year, Veson Nautical and ZeroNorth entered a new partnership to integrate data from Veson Nautical’s
IMOS Platform (VIP) into ZeroNorth’s vessel performance optimisation software, Optimise. Digital Ship spoke
with both companies to find out how the integration will enhance data-driven decision making.

U
nder the agreement, both it alone. It has to come from multiple peo-
ZeroNorth’s Optimise cus- ple working together and bringing differ-
tomers and Veson’s customers ent perspectives.”
now have access to fleet and In order to do this, solution providers
vessel data provided by Veson Nautical, must be willing to integrate their products,
and weather, port and market data provid- work with competitors, and share reports
ed by ZeroNorth, via the Optimise plat- and data, Meyer noted.
form, negating the need to switch between John Veson, CEO of Veson Nautical
applications. An intelligent algorithm com- believes in the same thought process. “In
bines the information collected by both order to be more efficient, you need to be
ZeroNorth and Veson and turns this into collaborative. One company cannot be
tangible actions for the operator, facilitat- good at everything. You have to have the
ing better time charter equivalent rates right digital partner and once you have
(TCE), lower fuel consumption and CO2 this, you can really start to see the value in
emissions, as well as easier compliance sharing information.
with industry regulations. “I see a shift in the way companies are
thinking and they’re realising that they can
Standardisation and sustain a more competitive advantage by
collaborations key to investing in others and not trying to build
targeting industry silos everything themselves,” he explained.
Speaking with Digital Ship, Søren C. However, one area in the shipping sec-
Meyer, CEO of ZeroNorth explained that tor that requires significant improvement
the integration was driven by a need to to reap the benefits of collaborations and
break industry silos and bring together partnerships is standardisation. While vast
skillsets from across the sector to reap eco- quantities of data exist, there is a lack of
nomic and environmental rewards. standardisation which inhibits the way
“Fragmentation is high in the industry, data can be aggregated and used across dif-
and we don’t always have the capabilities ferent systems and platforms. Many data
to aggregate data and add artificial intelli- generated today are locked up in specific
gence (AI) to create AI-driven vessel per- systems and sharing and using these data
formance management,” Meyer explained. across other systems and solutions is not
“Moreover, if we want to solve the digital- always possible. Without standardisation,
isation challenge, one company cannot do making profitable decisions is challenging.
Veson’s IMOS Platform. Source: Veson Nautical
It was this lack of standardisation and
industry silos that led Danish tech start-up
ZeroNorth and US-headquartered Veson
Nautical to team up. The solution offers
information on ship performance that is
easy to access and digest. Customisation is
possible, allowing users to see only the
information relevant to them at any given
time, avoiding complicated and complex
data screens. Thanks to artificial intelli-
gence (AI), machine learning and greater
connectivity, the systems are expected to
continue learning and become more
advanced and insightful with use.
The two CEOs hope that by building on a
data standard to exchange performance
data, shipping companies will be provided
with a complete picture of vessel perfor-
mance that will support operational deci-
sion-making with greater clarity and cer-
tainty. Ultimately, they hope to demonstrate
to the industry the importance of standardi-
sation in achieving maximum advantage
from collaborations and partnerships.
“With this integration, by following the
standard format that we have within our
platform and connecting it, we're laying
some of that groundwork and we hope
that it will make it easier over time for the
industry to continue connecting more effi-
ciently,” Veson explained.
“Part of the issue now is that people use
different terms and have different vocabu-
laries for the same process. That poses a
huge challenge when you’re trying to auto-
mate because you have no idea if the per-
son you’re speaking to is talking about the
same thing. One of the important things
that came out of our partnership was align-
ing on these data points and ensuring a
shared understanding of the meaning.
Unless you have this, the tool really can't
do very much for you,” said Veson.
A new digital culture
Driven by the global pandemic, the last 18
months has seen a rapid acceleration in
both the rate and the way that digital tech-
nology is adopted. According to Veson,
large monolithic projects that were three or
four years long are being replaced with a
more agile and continuous approach to
software uptake. Shipping companies are
opting for software-as-a-service (SaaS)
solutions that have the capability to adapt
with a company’s changing needs, rather
than investing in large expensive technolo-
gies that lack flexibility.
“I think today, rather than making huge
investments and upfront costs, companies
want to invest in digital technology that
can adapt to their work processes so they
can make small investments as they see the
value,” said Veson.
His advice to shipping companies is to
find the most flexible and malleable solu-
tion and let it guide them as it adapts to
their operations. “Don’t look at what other
people are doing but be guided by what
the software is telling you and use that to
modify your approach,” he explained.
As the industry embraces this digitally-
driven culture, one thing both Veson and
Meyer expect to see is an increasing inter-
est from non-maritime players. While there
is huge potential for them to bring valuable
new perspectives, those not used to the
structure of the unique shipping industry
will also have to appreciate the complexity
of it if they are to contribute to its progress,
particularly around digitalisation and
decarbonisation.
“A lot of start-ups are looking at this bil-
lion-dollar industry and realising that if
they can get even just 1 per cent of its busi-
ness, it will be a huge achievement for them.
At the same time, start-ups need to be care-
ful because they have to really understand
this challenging industry,” said Meyer.
“I think we can expect to see more soft-
ware engineers, data scientists, AI special-
ists, designers, etc. These types of people
get super excited because of the complexi-
ty of the industry and the impact they can
have. Especially with climate change, hav-
ing just a small impact on the global envi-
ronment will be a huge attraction to a lot of
younger generations and it’s very encour-
aging that we are able to attract such com-
petent talent to the industry,” he added.
That being said, both agree that those
transitioning into the maritime industry
will need to take the time to understand
shipping’s DNA and its dynamics if ambi-
tious goals and long-lasting changes are to
be achieved. DS

Oldendorff invests in Finnish navigation start-up

www.groke-tech.com
www.oldendorff.com
Dry bulk owner and operator Oldendorff Carriers has
invested in and become a minor shareholder of Groke
Technologies, a Finnish start-up creating navigation
solutions and developing new navigation technologies.
Oldendorff Carriers has a close relationship with the
Japanese trading and investing firm, Mitsubishi
Corporation, who is the leading investor of Groke
Technologies and introduced the company to
Oldendorff.
Groke, which was established in 2019, is developing
intelligent navigation systems for shipping operations
with the aim of creating safer and more comfortable
working conditions onboard vessels. Groke will continue
its development and business with the advice and sup-
port from both Oldendorff and Mitsubishi. Oldendorff has invested in Finnish start-up Groke Technologies

Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 4

p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 5
p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 6
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Using behaviour science to cut ship emissions
Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (BSM) Germany has formed a strategic pilot partnership
with software start-up Signol to apply behaviour-based data science to reduce fuel
consumption and carbon emissions of vessels under its management.
S
tarting out in the aviation
industry, London-based soft-
ware start-up Signol developed
a two-part approach to help
companies reduce fuel and emissions. One
part offers employees the ability to track
their performance and earn charitable
donations by reaching personalised tar-
gets. Performance reports include tailored
Studies carried out by Signol show that changing the master’s behaviour alone could
result in over five per cent lower fuel usage
Evergreen renews 22-year contract with Kongsberg Digital
www.evergreen-marine.com
www.kongsberg.com
Evergreen Marine has renewed its long-
term system support program (LTSSP)
contract with Kongsberg Digital (KDI) for
another 10 years.
The Taiwanese shipping company has
used KONGSBERG simulators for crew
training for over 20 years, with the first
maritime simulator delivered to the firm’s
training centre in 1999.
The new LTSSP contract commits KDI
to upgrading the majority of the K-Sim
Bridge consoles and hardware in the
Evergreen Marine Training Centre. The
centre’s ECDIS lab will also be treated to
an upgrade, while its Polaris simulator will
be succeeded by the latest, next-generation
K-Sim Navigation model, offering
enhanced accuracy and increased realism
for optimal crew training and convincingly
immersive simulation.
This thorough overhaul of the centre’s
simulation technology will also encom-
pass an upgrade of its existing full mis-
sion engine simulator to a state-of-the-
art K-Sim Engine type, complete with a
new MAN 6S70ME engine model.
insights which nudge employees to work
more efficiently. The other part offers man-
agers the means to investigate company-
wide trends and alter management pro-
cesses based on Signol’s insights. Man-
agers are able to spot areas for improve-
ment and identify strategies for addressing
potential problems.
Signol has to date helped Virgin
Equipped with a scrubber system and
KONGSBERG’s patented IAS (Integrated
Automation System), it typifies the level
of detail provided by next-generation
KDI simulators, enabling Evergreen
Marine to refresh its curriculum and con-
tinue training its crew to achieve the
highest standard of operational and navi-
gational competence.
“Our fleet consists of very large vessels
which routinely have to sail in extreme
weather conditions, so it’s vital for our
crews to be fully prepared to meet any
challenges,” said Eddie Pai, junior vice
president, Evergreen Marine. “Over the
past 20 years, the Evergreen Seafarer
Training Center has worked tirelessly to
improve the professional skillsets of crew
members, broadening their knowledge
base and sparing no effort in the drive to
prevent accidents at sea and combat
marine pollution. We are very glad to be
progressing into another decade with
KDI, providing us with the most
advanced simulation training equipment
and any maintenance support we could
ever require.”
“The new 10-year contract renewal indi-
cates Evergreen Marine’s confidence and
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 6
Atlantic save over US$6 million in fuel
costs and 24,000 tonnes of CO2 in just eight
months, according to data from Signol[1].
Now expanding into the maritime arena
to help shipping companies reduce their
fuel costs and carbon footprint, the start-
up has been working with BSM to deliver
personalised performance feedback to
BSM’s masters and chief engineers. The
goal is to positively impact their behaviour
in selecting the optimum speed for the ves-
sel and ultimately lead to more fuel-effi-
cient voyages. BSM’s operational data ana-
lytics per vessel are combined with cut-
ting-edge behavioural science in a dedicat-
ed app built by Signol, creating person-
alised targets and feedback for each crew
member.
“Whilst shipping is the most efficient
means of global transport with the lowest
carbon emissions, we at BSM believe that
the potential for improvement in this field
is still immense,” noted Nick Topham,
managing director at BSM Germany. “By
introducing our crew to the direct impact
of their actions, we hope that we can drive
them to make measurable fuel and CO2
savings.”
More than 60 masters and chief engi-
neers on 28 vessels will take part in the
pilot project that commenced on 25
August. Over a period of six months, each
participating crew member will receive
individualised targets via the Signol app,
trust in KDI’s maritime simulation training
solutions,” stated Andreas Jagtøyen, exec-
utive vice president digital ocean,
Kongsberg Digital. “At completion of this
contract, KONGSBERG will have deliv-
ered technological continuity to Evergreen
Evergreen Marine is to benefit from an extensive simulator suite upgrade,
including fully equipped K-Sim Engine simulators
which are calculated based on the crew’s
recent performance. Every week, the par-
ticipating seafarers will obtain updates on
personal milestones and achievements via
the app and email. They can digitally
review their voyages and the progress they
have made on fuel efficiency and submit
their personal feedback via the app, which
will contribute towards further improving
the solution.
The use of the Signol app onboard BSM-
managed vessels intends to not only
improve crew decisions with regards fuel
consumption, but also aims to boost sea-
farer morale and wellbeing onboard due to
ongoing communication and personal
interaction. “Our studies have shown that
changing the master’s behaviour alone
could result in over five per cent lower fuel
usage as well as in much higher job satis-
faction by giving employees a sense of
empowerment,” said Dan White, CEO and
co-founder of Signol.
“Achieving carbon neutrality requires
structural and incremental change and
can only be achieved if corporations act
in unison,” added Topham. “That is why
BSM is forming strategic partnerships
worldwide to develop and implement
innovative solutions that monitor and
mitigate the environmental impact of our
managed fleet.” DS
[1] www.signol.io/industries/maritime
Marine for more than 30 years. This is clear
evidence of our long-term commitment to
support the maritime industry, delivered
by the combination of our simulators’ long
product lifecycle and the extensive service
provided by our 24/7 support network.”
p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 7

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ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
From laggard to leapfrog: turning shipping
data from information into action
The maritime industry is good at collecting data but has not yet fully realised the
potential value it promises, says Evan Gooch, president, ABS Nautical Systems.
D
ata capture and analytics tech-
nologies are developing at a
speed that is superseding tradi-
tional ways of working.
Whether for plant operations, server and
network status, predictive maintenance,
machinery monitoring, process efficiency
or other critical systems, managers in
many industries expect to be kept fully
apprised and alerted before things go
wrong.
Shipping is striving to do the same; at a
time when digitalisation is increasingly
important for operational safety and effi-
ciency, vessel operators need to under-
Evan Gooch, president of
ABS Nautical Systems
DFFAS completes construction of fleet operation centre for crewless autonomous ships
www.nyk.com
The DFFAS (Designing the Future of Full
Autonomous Ship) project comprising 30
Japanese companies including NYK and
NYK Group companies Japan Marine
Science, MTI, and Kinkai Yusen Kaisha has
completed the construction of a fleet oper-
ation centre (FOC) in Makuhari, Chiba
city. The centre will provide onshore sup-
port for crewless maritime autonomous
surface ships.
The FOC is part of a comprehensive
system that covers the functions required
for operation of crewless maritime
autonomous surface ships.
The DFFAS project is sponsored by the
Joint Technological Development
Programme for the Demonstration of
Unmanned Ships under the administration
of the Nippon Foundation. With the sup-
port of the foundation, the project will aim
to conduct a successful crewless maritime
autonomous surface ship demonstration
trial to advance the practical use of these
ships by 2025.
stand both risks and opportunities.
Globally, this is the direction in which
business is heading; pushing insights that
trigger actions and decisions that can’t
wait on an email – let alone the noon report
– but shipping has a problem. We have
been talking about big and small data for
over a decade and collected terabytes of
information from ships but done little to
nothing with it.
Certainly, an increasing amount of ship-
board data is being collected and relayed
to shore, but many operators are still strug-
gling to extract value that can drive data
insights back into the business, generate
cost savings and create value.
For a vessel operator, their vision can-
not be limited by only looking at data and
not what lies beyond that; it is necessary to
run the analytics and make the decisions
that the data suggests. That’s the route the
industry is headed, and we think there is
real value in turning data into action.
We also believe this is an opportunity to
utilise learning from other industries that
have solved these problems and there is
plenty we can leverage into the maritime
sphere. Maritime needs to jump over the
learning curve and understand that data
should mean action, not just information.
Doing so will help to put decision-ready
data into the hands of owners, crew, ship
managers, port personnel - heavy on rec-
ommendations, light on graphics - togeth-
er with proactive alerting on system status,
The FOC will be staffed with operators
who provide support from shore by col-
lecting information from the ship, together
with abundant information existing on
shore, and monitoring and analysing the
operational status of the ship from the
FOC. Additionally, the operator will be
able to remotely navigate the vessel in case
of an emergency.
The DFFAS project aims to realise a
domestic coastal shipping business sup-
ported by crewless maritime autonomous
surface ships, thus contributing to solving
the issue of crew shortages by coastal ship-
ping businesses.
In this project, the NYK Group will
make full use of the technology and expe-
rience so far cultivated in the technological
development of maritime autonomous
surface ships (MASS).
The DFFAS project will work toward
the standardisation of technology and the
establishment of systems and infrastruc-
ture through open collaboration.
The project plans to carry out a demon-
stration trial in February 2022 in order to
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 8
machinery health and maintenance.
To make this work means having an
operational, on-the-ship perspective as
well as bringing data together to present a
fleetwide view. What will help this process
is when data collection on board ships
becomes more automated and standard-
ised, with analytics on speed, route, fuel
consumption and emissions available as
decision points to a superintendent.
To facilitate this, ABS Nautical Systems
has created a new platform, NS Capture, to
enable real-time acquisition of data from
the vessel, around the clock. NS Capture
brings together inputs from all sensor-
equipped systems such as engines, genera-
tors and pumps- and GPS and weather
data, with analytics performed at the edge
(on the ship) or in the cloud. NS Capture
provides a vessel-level – not a C-suite –
view of ship operations and critical data;
though it can be used to populate higher
level fleet management dashboards too.
A major focus of the work is to move
towards use of data standards that make
integration and dissemination easier and
faster. ABS is not alone in believing that
standardisation and automation will be
key to embracing the digital opportunity -
it’s a model where everything that can be
connected is connected.
Work is also in progress to provide ves-
sel operators with enhanced analytics on
that data and to offer output via third
party integrations using an open API to
simulate the actual operation of crewless
maritime autonomous surface ships in
congested waters using a domestic coastal
The new fleet operation centre. Source: DFFAS consortium
feed into corporate systems.
ABS is making investments to develop
more products on the software as a service
model, browser-based for easier access
regardless of location. The product
roadmap includes electronic logbooks that
can be accessed from any location on
mobile devices, supporting the remote
working trend we have seen over the last
year and longer. NS eLogs, have been
approved over 34 flag states and 25 stan-
dard logbooks are available now, with
another 20 set for publication by the end of
the year.
When ABS looks further down the
track, the megatrends point towards an
increase in remote operations and mainte-
nance. New satellite constellations being
launched right now will dramatically
lower the latency of data transfer and
increase throughput available to ships
at sea.
When these services start to become
available, it won’t just be the number of
servers onboard ship that could be dramat-
ically reduced. Even on a ship with some
crew present, further advances in data cap-
ture mean voyage decisions can be made
supported from shore in real time. Again,
this is something ABS already sees hap-
pening on a day-to-day basis in other
industries and, despite historical resis-
tance, they believe we will start to see it
come into shipping in the next decade and
transform vessel operations. DS
container ship toward the realisation of the
full-scale commercialisation of these
autonomous ships by 2025.
p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 9

NAVIGATOR SUITE
Bogerd Martin introduces the Chart Track Navigator SUITE
The all-new Chart Tr
T ack Navigator Suite is a comp
m lete overhaul of the well-known
and established Chara t Track Navigator softwaree with all of its functionalitiees.
It brings more clarity to its users, is much more intuitive and makes the wee e kly
tasks easier and more fun to fulfil.

The new interface separates the functionalitiess into modules that can be
licensed modularly. This improved system moves utilities that are not useful for
specific users out of the way and only shows those that matter to them.

The suite is customizable and allows for quick access to all navigationally critical
information such as Routing, Paper inventory Management, Updates, Catalogue,
ENC viewers, Passage
g Planning Tools and many more, without overwhelming
the user.

It’s easy to install, easy to use and designed to simplify weekly tasks like co
orrecting
charts and publications, creating routes with A2BviaC, going into
advanced passage planning mode and even emer m gency aid to navigation
with the right modules activated.

Now that the Navig gator Suite is heree,, we’ve achieved a new level off user ffrrie
i ndliness
that is unrivalled. TTh
he look and fefeel o
off the new C
Chhart TTrrack Navigator are exactly
what the maritime industry needs in order to allleviate the complex
tasks marinerrss fa
face everryy single dayy to ensure saffee navigation.

Improvements and added ffu unctionality were created and implemented by

listening to maritim
me proffeessionals and then bu
uilding them. Not the other
wayy around.
Nellsson Morais– Bogerd
d Martin – Chart Tr
Track (Head off TTeechnologyy,, Innovation and Supportt))

Improving Efficiency
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For more information, contact us on sales@martin.be

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p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 10

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Avoiding costly system failures

with real-time oil analysis
Innovation in oil analysis technology is enabling new insights into the health and maintenance status of
propulsion systems, bringing with it the ability to achieve significant cost savings and efficiency improvements.

O
il management is a critical cosity, relative humidity, or particles, thus
component in any mainte- ignoring others, new technologies today
nance programme. All parts of enable a full holistic analysis. This means
any propulsion system must that the technology fully analyses the elec-
be correctly maintained, ensuring optimal trochemical composition of the oil, which
lubrication and thorough analysis, reveal- detects, measures, and identifies all changes
ing potential issues for which pre-emptive caused by any wear and/or contamination.
maintenance will avoid costly failures. This means that nothing is missed or over-
A variety of methods and sensors exist looked. Along with this holistic analysis, the
that provide various parts of the solution tonew technologies bring a new level of accu-
oil management. However, a new genera- racy and sensitivity, which can be as accu-
tion of technologies developed and previ- rate as 0.001 per cent to oil condition
change. All of this is achieved in real-time
ously only viable in large industrial applica-
tions, such as utility power generation and on operating equipment with the target oil
manufacturing, are now available for com- continuously analysed, producing a flow of
mercial applications and offer the opportu- high-quality information.
nity for a total oil analysis solution. The quality and depth of information
These new technologies enable real-time contained within the analysis data offers
continuous analysis of oil. Rather than the opportunity to both improve and
focussing on a single parameter, such as vis-streamline critical propulsion systems and
ancillary equipment
where failure is mea-
sured in tens, if not hun-
dreds of thousands, of
dollars.
A proven sensor in
the industrial market
and gaining traction
within the marine sector
with these new capabili-
ties is the OQSx-G2 from
UK-based Tan Delta
Systems. The OQSx-G2
The OQSxG2 real-time oil analysis sensor is a small sensor that is
permanently installed
on a piece of equipment and continuously
analyses oil, providing a stream of infor-
mation in real-time to existing display and
monitoring systems. The sensor analyses
any oil type in any application.
The sensor works by accurately tracking
the oil’s condition throughout its life and
identifying any unexpected changes in
numerous parameters, including oxida-
tion, total acid number and total base num-
ber, all of which combined give the earliest
indication of an internal equipment issue.
It is critical to identify these issues early as
if left untreated will lead to damage and
subsequent failure and/or a sustained
reduction in equipment efficiency.
Chris Greenwood, CEO of Tan Delta
Systems told us: “These new technologies
will open a new horizon of possibilities for
shipowners to reduce operating costs and
improve efficiency. Our FSH core analysis
technology is embedded in the OQSx-G2
sensor and enables it to track oil condition
in real-time and accurately identify its cur-
rent condition, thereby eliminating waste
and worry.
“Our technology also detects and
reports any contamination and thus pro-
vides continuous health monitoring. The
sensor analyses the oil several times a sec-
ond with extreme sensitivity, which
enables contaminations such as water, fuel,
or wear material to be detected and
tracked to as low as 15ppm.
“Another feature that arises from the
analysis quality of our technology is the
detection of any unexpected oil wear,
which is typically the earliest indicator of
an equipment issue that requires attention.
The critical thing to note here is that this is
before wear particles are present, which of
course indicates that damage has now
occurred. This enables what we call an
advanced fault detection alert and remedi-
al action to be properly planned.”
According to Tan Delta Systems, its
technology can be easily fitted to any piece
of equipment into an existing OEM port,
with standard and custom adapters also
available. The sensor connects to any exist-
ing monitoring system and can be easily
accessed by both onboard crew and remote
ship managers.
The sensor has been engineered to
remain robust, even in harsh environ-
ments. Once fitted, no maintenance is
required.
Greenwood notes that better quality
data must mean better results. He believes
that these new technologies and product
innovations in this vital area seem set to
move the industry to a new level of moni-
toring, with all engines, gearboxes, propul-
sion systems and ancillary equipment con-
tinuously monitored in real-time by a net-
work of small sensors. This minimises has-
sle and risk for crew through unnecessary
sampling and inspections, whilst also
reducing costs, increasing reliability and
reducing waste. DS

Keppel receives DNV verification for world’s largest 3D printed shipboard fitting
www.dnv.com
www.kepcorp.com
Keppel Technology & Innovation (KTI) has
received a verification certificate for a 3D
printed deck mounted type Panama Chock
(SWL150Ton) from DNV.
The component, which is intended for
non-class maritime applications, is the
world’s largest 3D-printed shipboard
fitting.
Panama Chocks are large shipboard fit-
tings for towing and mooring, traditional-
ly manufactured by casting, and are weld-
ed to a ship as a supporting hull structure.
This component was manufactured by
KTI’s partner AML3D (ASX:AL3) using its
patented Wire Additive Manufacturing
(WAM) process, which used medium
strength structural steel grade ER70S-6
wire feedstock.
The verification by DNV follows exten-
sive research, production and testing by
KTI with end users Keppel Offshore &
Marine (Keppel O&M) and technology
partners AML3D and confirms that the
component has met all the primary test
requirements in KTI’s project material
specification with satisfactory results.
Additive manufacturing (AM) – the “KTI has been working on this project Keppel business units to innovate and cre-
industrial equivalent of 3D printing – is an with Keppel O&M, DNV and AML3D ate value. This is in line with Keppel’s
emerging technology which uses 3D model since 2019, and we are proud to achieve Vision 2030, which includes leveraging
data to fabricate parts, enabling, among this endorsement. Keppel is transforming advanced technologies to drive growth,”
other benefits, significant time savings. the way it harnesses technology and KTI is said Francois van Raemdonck, managing
Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, or supporting this by collaborating with director of KTI.
WAAM, has the potential to enable a pro-
ductivity step change in shipbuilding, and
is able to 3D print marine grade metal
structures at a scale well beyond other
commercially available metal 3D printing
technologies.
As part of the qualification process a
1,450 kg Panama Chock was designed and
produced to meet international standards
and KTI’s project specific material specifi-
cation. Material yield strength was twice
that of the original cast material and
was produced with acceptable internal
soundness that was confirmed by various
non-destructive testing and evaluation
methods.
Throughout the production and testing
processes, there was close and collabora-
tive engagement between DNV, KTI and
AML3D. Factors such as functional specifi-
cations, safety, testing procedures and
acceptance criteria were all subjected to The Panama Chock in the Singapore lab
scrutiny by experts.

Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 10

p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 11
p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 12
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Windward launches Data for
Decarbonisation programme
Predictive intelligence company Windward has launched the Data for Decarbonisation programme (D4D),
a partnership aimed at increasing transparency and fostering collaboration within the
maritime industry by leveraging the power of big data and artificial intelligence (AI).
T
he programme aims to create
large datasets gathered from all
stakeholders in the maritime
trade industry to build AI mod-
els that will accurately predict the carbon
emissions of any vessel’s voyage, and opti-
mise the whole pre-fixture process –
including vessel selection, contract clauses,
and supply chain scheduling. Current
solutions are based on static and historical
data, primarily on vessel specifications,
and lack the high level of accuracy needed
in this space. Often, they do not consider
variables such as weather, a vessel’s opera-
tional profile, ballast/laden status, the bal-
last leg, and hull fouling.
The programme will ignite participa-
tion across the maritime ecosystem includ-
ing financial institutions, shipowners,
insurers, charterers, and energy compa-
nies. Existing members include ADNOC
Logistics & Services, ASM Maritime,
Executive Ship Management (ESM),
SOKANA Shipping, and Interunity.
The Data for Decarbonisation
Programme is expected to not only see the
creation of a solution, but to bring value to
members by accelerating the learning
curve of understanding their own data,
enabling them to better optimise their own
LR and Inmarsat to jointly develop
remote survey solution
www.inmarsat.com
www.lr.org
Lloyd’s Register (LR) and Inmarsat have
announced an industry-first collaboration
between a satellite communications
provider and classification society to pro-
vide a connectivity solution that will
address challenges experienced during
remote surveys.
The new solution uses LR Remote, a
specifically engineered application for
remote inspection that enables crew mem-
bers to livestream video, photos, and audio
from onboard a ship to an LR technical spe-
cialist located elsewhere. It will be empow-
ered by Inmarsat’s Certified Application
Provider (CAP) dedicated bandwidth serv-
ice, Fleet Connect, available on the Fleet
Xpress digital platform.
Fleet Connect provides an uninterrupt-
ed dedicated satellite link between vessels
and seafarers, offering users function-spe-
cific bandwidth that is independent of
business-critical vessel operations or crew
communications. With no additional com-
munication hardware required to run this
application, the separation allows LR
Remote to be enabled remotely without
any intervention on-site.
Fleet Connect provides secure and reli-
assets. The programme will also foster
interdisciplinary collaboration between
data scientists, bankers, shippers, IT spe-
cialists, commercial teams, and ESG teams.
The programme aims to help shipown-
ers to cut fuel costs by optimising vessel
operations without depending on the cover-
age of expensive IoT devices and hardware,
and will allow them to compare their fleet
to others. Charterers will be able to optimise
their pre-fixture vessel selection by choos-
ing the optimal performing vessel, optimis-
ing the ballast leg, and during the post-fix-
ture phase adapting a smart ETA and laden
speed to real operating conditions.
Freight forwarders and beneficial cargo
owners will be able to measure carbon ship-
ping performance for every container,
accounting for the particular vessel and pro-
jected route of every shipment thus offering
end customers a “green premium” option of
low carbon shipping. Trade financiers will
be able to independently verify the environ-
mental impact of financing decisions thus
exercising sustainable trade financing.
“The answer to reducing carbon emis-
sions lies in the Power of Many. Regulation
is necessary, but the solution needs to come
from within to ensure that the global supply
chain continues to function and garners the
able dedicated bandwidth, meaning it can
increase the potential of remote surveys on
vessels where connectivity restraints have
previously limited its use. This approach
provides flexibility and 24/7 availability
which enables surveyors to perform sur-
veys efficiently using a blend of tech-
niques, reducing the impact of unexpected
situations on vessel operations, where sur-
veyors and crew can quickly navigate
problems using remote technology.
The new solution is another step towards
digital class, opening opportunities for
future uses of vessel data in demonstrating
compliance and driving deeper insight into
vessel efficiency and fleet optimisation. The
solution is currently being piloted by LR
and Inmarsat with clients specialising in
gas carriers and bulker carriers.
This collaboration follows increased
uptake in remote services throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic as access to ships and
assets became more challenging. LR has
offered remote survey capability for many
years, and now, 1 in 3 of the 30,000 plus
surveys LR performs each year is complet-
ed remotely. Subsequently, in May 2020,
LR introduced a team of a global team of
remote survey champions to support
remote surveys within the marine and off-
shore industries.
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 12
trust of the general public,” said Ami
Daniel, CEO & co-founder of Windward.
“The maritime shipping industry is headed
to decarbonisation. Those that invest in
sharing data and insights now will benefit
from the advantages of an accurate model
Windward’s Data for Decarbonisation programme aims to create large datasets gathered
from all stakeholders in the maritime industry to build AI models that will accurately
predict the carbon emissions of any vessel voyage
IFAN invests $1.2m in future-proofing
safe navigation
www.ifan-maritime.org
The International Foundation for Aids to
Navigation (IFAN) has announced a near
US $1.2 million investment in safe naviga-
tion in the Middle East Gulf.
The money will be used for significant
recapitalisation of the Differential Global
Positioning System (DGPS) sites it oper-
ates in the region as well as the construc-
tion of a new workboat that will strength-
en its capabilities when it comes to main-
taining Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) in the
Middle East Gulf.
The announcement underlines IFAN’s
commitment to safe navigation in this
important waterway.
The investment, implemented through
its Gulf arm, the Middle East Navigation
Aids Service (MENAS), will mean the
upgrading of the four DGPS sites in
the Gulf, starting with Ras Al Khaymah
to ensure against redundancy in case
any site fails, or has to be shut down for
maintenance.
The Ras Al Khaymah DGPS site will be
relocated 5km away from the previous
location, and only a few meters away from
the shore. It will have a range of more than
250 nautical miles (nm), covering the entire
southern part of the Arabian Gulf and part
of Gulf of Oman. The DGPS capability will
boost positioning accuracy for less than 1
metre compared to 10+ metres promised
by traditional GPS systems.
Dual units at each site will ensure con-
tinuous coverage, even in the case of one
unit malfunctioning, and they can be
trained specifically for the industry’s
unique operations. Together we can realise
a solution that will allow all stakeholders to
analyse, predict, and price their carbon foot-
print, improve their bottom line, and
accomplish a carbon-free future.” DS
remotely controlled. Meantime between
failure of the system is greater than 50,000
hrs with availability of 99.95 per cent over
two years, in compliance with IALA
requirements.
The vessel, which is being built in the
United Arab Emirates, should be opera-
tional by the beginning of October and will
have a range of more than 40 nm, enabling
it to reach offshore waters in the Gulf.
Operated through MENAS, the work-
boat will have a shallow draft allowing it
to access inshore areas to maintain light
beacons. Its overall size and the size of the
cabin will allow for a much wider weather
window for operations. Being able to
accommodate more workers and spares, it
will be a more fuel-efficient vessel than the
vessel that it is replacing.
The new vessel is fully equipped with
radar to check the Racons signal, AIS
receiver to monitor AtoNs, as well as AIS
functionality and other standard naviga-
tion aids such as DGPS receivers.
Peter Stanley, CEO of IFAN said the
investment would greatly enhance
MENAS’s ability to undertake its impor-
tant maintenance work in the region.
“Investment in the DGPS sites is cru-
cially important if we are to upgrade age-
ing equipment, he said. “And the
enhanced capabilities of the new workboat
will strengthen our maintenance of AtoNs
in the region. It is part of our overall strat-
egy of renewing our equipment and sys-
tems in the region to ensure continued safe
navigational aids for ships using this
important trade lane.”
p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 13

19090508_A0_Dig_Ship PT

The Fugro Oceanstar anti-spoofing feature protects your vessel

against hostile GNSS attacks. Any attempt to manipulate the
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p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 14
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Leveraging the power of data
French data integration company Opsealog helps maritime companies to reduce fuel consumption and emissions
by leveraging data from across multiple sources. Digital Ship spoke with founder and managing director of
Opsealog Arnaud Dianoux to find out how the company is helping vessel operators realise tangible
fuel savings based on complex vessel performance data.
S
ince its launch in 2015, French
data integration and analytics
services provider Opsealog has
helped more than 470 vessels to
cut fuel consumption and emissions by 15
per cent and has ambitious plans to boost
this to at least 25 per cent as the capacity to
collect and analyse data increases. The
company’s primary focus has been on the
offshore oil and gas industry, but it is now
preparing to scale up its services to larger
ocean-going vessels.
In today’s digital era, highly advanced
equipment and onboard sensors facilitate
relatively easy acquisition of large and
complex data on ship performance.
However, translating these data into tangi-
ble results to improve decision-making is
still a challenge for many. In part, this is
due to different companies and depart-
ments being at varying levels of digital
maturity. Some processes will be automat-
ed while others will remain manual, caus-
ing data silo and widespread inefficiency
around data management. This fragment-
ed approach makes it even more of a chal-
lenge to identify the ‘good’ from the ‘bad’
data, further complicating the ability to
turn data into tangible results.
Seeing these issues arise during his sailing
career, which spanned more than a decade,
Arnaud Dianoux set up Opsealog. The data
integration and efficiency-as-a-service com-
pany integrates and processes data from
across multiple sources already onboard a
vessel and employs maritime data experts
to analyse and cross check the data before
generating concise reports for the end user.
The ultimate goal is to help companies
achieve tangible results around vessel per-
formance and meet decarbonisation goals,
without the need to install additional
hardware.
The company has 38 employees with
12 data analytics experts specialised
in maritime, and offers three solutions -
Marinsights, Streamlog, and Wakes.
Marinsights is Opsealog’s flagship
product and is based on the efficiency-as-
a-service model. Marinsights combines
data integration, processing, visualisation,
and expert analysis to help customers
boost their operational efficiency and gen-
Kongsberg wins simulator contract with Zamboanga City State College
www.kongsberg.com
www.zcspc.edu.ph
Kongsberg Digital (KDI) has won a new
contract to supply the Zamboanga City
State College of Marine Sciences and
Technology in the Philippines with a com-
plete package of full mission and desktop
K-Sim Navigation and K-Sim Engine simu-
lators.
erate tangible savings around environ-
mental impact, fuel efficiency, fleet utilisa-
tion, and cost control.
Streamlog is an internally developed
software solution that streamlines onboard
reporting. Information is digitised, inte-
grated and shared automatically among
stakeholders. Reports are generated on a
daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
The third solution, Wakes, is a turn-key
market intelligence solution that helps
companies to make decisions based on the
current market. The latest industry data
from multiple sources is combined and
shared through a web portal.
Opsealog deploys artificial intelligence
(AI) and machine learning to create a
model of each vessel to compare its current
performance with its potential perfor-
mance. “The model is based on the design
and operating parameters of the vessel. It
takes into account size of the vessel, deck
space, deadweight tonnage, what kind of
digitalisation tools it has onboard, and
more, and uses this to compare the vessel’s
current performance with how well it
could perform with various operational or
behavioural changes,” Dianoux explained.
Data are integrated, processed, and
shared in real-time through the web portal.
KPIs are shared on a daily, weekly, and
monthly basis. Opsealog provides weekly
remote efficiency meetings with its cus-
tomers to help them gain better understand-
ing around various aspects of ship perfor-
mance. “The ultimate goal is to provide as
much insight as possible to ensure concrete
results are delivered,” Dianoux confirmed.
Installation and cost
Opsealog customers can choose a subscrip-
tion-based or an incentive-based model. As
no hardware is required, Opsealog will
immediately begin analysing the data once
a company signs up to the service.
According to Dianoux, Opsealog can anal-
yse any amount of data so a company just
starting out on its digitalisation journey
can still make use of Opsealog’s analytics.
The more data Opsealog has access to, the
more detailed feedback will be provided.
Companies also only pay for the service
once their contractually agreed fuel or
The state-of-the-art simulation of bridge
and engine room environments will pro-
vide an immersive, all-encompassing,
hands-on experience for students training
to become licensed seafarers.
This delivery of integrated, next-genera-
tion technology is scheduled for October
2021.
Awarded through Kongsberg Digital’s
local partner, PCI Technologies, the con-
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 14
Marinsights combines data integration, processing, visualisation, and expert analysis to
help customers boost their operational efficiency and generate tangible savings
emissions savings are met, Dianoux told
us. “If we don’t achieve the savings we
have agreed on, then the customer does
not pay us. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
“At the beginning of the relationship we
start by explaining to the customer how we
calculate the different fuel and emissions
savings. We look at what regulatory
requirements need to be met and how the
customer will achieve these and we con-
stantly cross check the data to ensure what
we are analysing is accurate and reliable.”
According to Dianoux, the return on
investment for Opsealog customers is
around 300 per cent.
Integrations and
partnerships
Dianoux is a firm believer that solution
providers play a large role in helping ship-
ping companies to navigate environmental
goals and the regulatory landscape and is
keen to see more industry collaborations
and integrations. “We’re still at such an
early stage of digital maturity and I think
the change towards maturity will be quite
progressive. It’s really up to us, the solu-
tion providers, to deliver integratable ser-
vices that will actually enable shipping
companies to make this digital transition,”
Dianoux added.
Opsealog is in discussion with other
system providers to facilitate further inte-
grations and to improve the quality of data
generated onboard. The goal is to expand
its partnerships to ensure end users have
tract was secured through a recognition of
KDI’s console, equipment and software
quality, reinforced by a strong, depend-
able, local support network and an avail-
able local user group.
“For KDI, building a relationship with
the Zamboanga City State College of
Marine Sciences and Technology not only
helps us to assist in guaranteeing the pro-
fessionalism of future maritime graduates,
easy access to its services.
“Partnerships are key to progression.
Opsealog will not answer all the challenges
and there is not a one-size-fits-all
approach. We need partnerships and col-
laborations to move forward and increase
maturity of shipping’s digitisation, effi-
ciency gains, and decarbonisation.”
Future plans
Having proven its success in the offshore
oil and gas industry, Opsealog is now
looking to roll out to commercial ocean-
going vessels. Dianoux expects one of the
biggest challenges will lie in finding the
right model to convince larger shipping
companies to put their trust in another
offering. “Often taking the first step is the
biggest challenge and I think we want to
make that step as small as possible for
shipping companies. They are faced with
so many regulations and environmental
goals and there is so much uncertainty
about which engines or fuels they should
or will be allowed to use, so we have to
make sure as a service provider that what
we are offering only helps them with this
transition,” Dianoux explained.
“Our goal for the next five years is
to really assist the maritime market in
decarbonisation.”
The company’s algorithm is beginning
to integrate more and more data and the
company is expecting to increase its CO2
emissions savings from 15 per cent to 25
per cent in the near future. DS
but also cements our already leading posi-
tion within maritime training in the
Philippines,” said Andreas Jagtøyen, exec-
utive vice president digital ocean,
Kongsberg Digital. “Zamboanga City is the
country’s largest exporter of tuna and
other marine products, and this contract
confirms KDI’s strong global position
within training for crews and operators in
the fishery segment.”
p1-15 Adv Tech_p1-14.qxd 25/09/2021 17:31 Page 15

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p16-19 Cybersec_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 06:49 Page 1

CYBERSECURITY

SNSfortech adds secure communications tool by Armour to portfolio

www.armourcomms.com
www.snsfortech.com
Athens-based cybersecurity and data pro-
tection solutions provider SNSfortech has
added SigNet by Armour, a UK-based
communications solutions company, to its
portfolio of communications tools for the
shipping industry.
SigNet is based on the Signal app, and
provides secure comms for voice, text,
messaging, video and attachments. In
addition, it provides enhanced security
features which include:
• One-step provisioning for end users –
download the app, and they can start
using it straight away
• Anonymity and protection of privacy –
users do not need to reveal their mobile
number, email address or even full
name in order to use the app
• Use across multiple linked devices –
the same instance of the app can be
installed on desktop, laptop, tablet and
mobile, so that information can be
shared across devices securely, without
ever using email
• Note to self facility – voice to text notes
and reminders that are held within the
app, and can be shared with linked
devices
• Can be installed on-premise for
SigNet provides secure comms for voice, text, messaging, video and attachments
absolute privacy and protection of
meta-data, or hosted on Armour’s
secure cloud
• An improved interface provides a great
user experience
Antonios Mytilinis, director at SNSfortech
commented: “Having worked with
Armour for five years, the latest product
SigNet has been an instant hit with our
clients in the maritime sector. Clients have
reported to us high rates of user adoption
because SigNet is so easy to use, while sup-
porting heightened security procedures
when dealing with sensitive and private
information.”
SigNet by Armour, is available for iOS
and Android devices, and for use with
Windows 10, macOS and Linux.
David Holman, director, Armour
comms said: “Customers of SNSfortech,
such as those in the maritime industry,
have very stringent security requirements,
not least because vessels are often required
to sail through unfriendly waters. Owners
are keen to protect their anonymity while
still needing to convey instructions to their
management teams, without fear of inter-
ception. At Armour we are committed to
providing products that protect privacy,
strengthen security and that people are
happy to use, so that there is never a need
to use a less secure alternative.”

Elcome announces new virus protection GTMaritime updates GTDeploy

tool for ships’ navigation computers to support cyber protection
www.elcome.com shipboard cyber infections is downloads www.gtmaritime.com
from shoreside networks,” explained
Elcome International has created a new Kostiantyn Matvieiev, Elcome’s senior GTMaritime has launched the latest version
secure tool to prevent viruses, malware or manager, charts and publications. of GTDeploy to support businesses as they
corrupted files from being introduced into “Electronic Nautical Charts (ENC), tighten maritime cybersecurity processes.
ships’ navigational computers. Notices to Mariners (NtM) and software Patch management is a vital part of
Elcome Bridge Protect provides a sim- updates are delivered to the ship by satel- cybersecurity protection and GTDeploy
ple and cost-efficient method of ensuring lite links when underway or on a DVD enables shipowners and operators to send
safe transfer of files without the need for when in port. A USB flash drive is general- and install software updates and security
passwords or fingerprint checks. The ly used to load these files into the ECDIS patches remotely. Identifying and address-
package includes a special protected USB computer. If an off-the-shelf unprotected ing gaps in software security reduces the
3.0 flash drive and custom client software USB is used, it can potentially introduce attack risk, leaving fewer potential entry
that makes it impossible for infected files corrupted files, which can spread through- points for hackers to exploit.
to be introduced into the ECDIS and other out the ship’s interconnected network with The latest version of GTDeploy features
networked ship systems when uploading devastating results.” a number of updates including a brand-
electronic charts and updates. The Bridge Protect client software auto- new interface to enhance user experience
The shipping industry’s growing matically locks the flash drive with a low- (UX) and a revised workflow, which better
reliance on automation electronics and level file system that leaves no empty mem- aligns with customer’s needs. UX updates
Jamie Jones, operations director
digitisation increases the danger of cyber ory space in the USB storage medium, include a new search function to simplify
at GTMaritime
“bugs” being introduced into ships and thereby preventing transfer of harmful files navigation and easier viewing of system
shoreside infrastructure. Cyber-attacks in inadvertently into the ship’s computer. resource information such as disk space,
the maritime industry have risen by over Bridge Protect can be incorporated as hardware, network and OS details. we proactively develop our solutions to
900 per cent in the last three years, ranging part of the Safety Management System To enhance the deployment of fleet- provide customers with the greatest level
from malware introductions causing navi- stipulated by the International Maritime wide software updates, the revised of cyber protection. The latest version of
gational errors to full-blown access-denial Organization (IMO) Resolution MSC 428 GTDeploy features: GTDeploy provides customers with
ransomware. (98) and becomes a mandatory part of the • Automation to allow software deploy- greater control over software updates. The
“A primary potential point of entry for annual verification of the company’s ment management to be rules-based redesigned user interface, and new
Document of Compliance, and installations across a fleet to be automation and customisable functions
which came into effect 1 based on customised criteria have simplified the process to make the
January 2021. • One-click deployment and installation deployment of updates even easier to
“As the shipping industry • A new ‘attributes’ function which has ensure continued fleet-wide security.”
transitions from paper charts replaced tagging to enable targeted Designed specifically for the maritime
and publications to electronic distribution of software updates industry with the demands of satellite con-
media, there is increasing Abstract tagging has also been replaced nectivity in mind, GTDeploy operates over
danger of disabling cyber- with customised attributes for vessels and the company’s secure data transfer plat-
attacks that can threaten the workstations. form FastNet, which provides additional
ship’s safety at sea. Elcome is “When it comes to cybersecurity, just security while optimising data streams
committed to harnessing cut- one piece of out-of-date software can put a between ship and shore.
ting-edge technologies to vessel at risk of a cyber-attack. Software Managed via the FastNet dashboard,
protect ships’ systems and updates are vital to patch security holes, GTDeploy requires no user interaction as it
ease the workload for crews fix and remove bugs and add new features installs, uninstalls and updates pro-
without compromising safe- to improve operations,” said Jamie Jones, grammes in the background. Software
Elcome’s new tool aims to prevent viruses, malware or ty of navigation,” said Jimmy operations director at GTMaritime. installed by GTDeploy can also be auto-
corrupted files from being introduced into ships’ Grewal, executive director of “GTMaritime continuously monitors matically updated when a newer version
navigational computers Elcome. is available.
the evolving cybersecurity landscape and

Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 16

p16-19 Cybersec_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 06:49 Page 2

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p16-19 Cybersec_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 06:49 Page 3
CYBERSECURITY
Newport deploys multi-layer cybersecurity suite
www.marpoint.gr
www.langlois-grain.com
Greek Shipping company Newport Ship
Management has proceeded with a fleet-
wide installation of MarPoint’s Evo2
Router for controlling and optimising ves-
sels’ multi-person networks and enhancing
crew welfare services.
The shipping company, which operates
a modern fleet of bulk carriers, was look-
ing to modernise the IT support for its
business with a complete portfolio of phys-
ical, network, data security services, and
ensure compliance with the IMO 2021 reg-
ulation. By partnering with MarPoint,
Newport was able to centrally organise the
fleet’s network infrastructure indepen-
dently of the airtime providers, gaining
complete access to the Evo2 platform and
customising it according to each vessel’s
unique needs.
Newport’s main priority was to take
advantage of the existing VSAT satellite
connectivity in order to create a cyber-
secured network environment onboard
its fleet, to provide unparallel crew
welfare services during the COVID-19
pandemic and to stay compliant with
IMO regulations.
By partnering with MarPoint, Newport
was able to improve:
Cyber risk management
• Establishment of a Secure Vessel
Network, via MarPoint’s Evo2 Router
Speedcast and HudsonCyber team up
to help companies regain cyber control
www.ha-cyber.com
www.speedcast.com
Speedcast and HudsonCyber have
launched a new cybersecurity assessment
solution to help the maritime industry pro-
tect themselves from cyber-attacks and
meet regulatory requirements.
Speedcast CyberInsights is based on a
Lloyd’s List Intelligence Digital Innovation
risk management and assessment service
that enables decision-makers to evaluate
their current cybersecurity protection
quickly and cost-effectively.
Built on Amazon Web Services (AWS),
the CyberInsights platform integrates
cybersecurity standards, frameworks and
standardised practices and aligns with
International Maritime Organization’s
(IMO) 2021 Guidelines on Maritime Cyber
Risk Management, as well as other cyber-
security standards, frameworks and stan-
dardised practices.
“According to Cybersecurity Ventures,
cybercrime damages will reach US$10.5
trillion annually by 2025, and it is our
ongoing goal to continue enhancing our
cybersecurity capabilities to protect our
customers,” said Jeffrey Irwin, vice presi-
dent, product management at Speedcast.
“As part of Speedcast’s cybersecurity
product suite, CyberInsights is a robust
solution that will strengthen our cus-
tomers’ cybersecurity capabilities and
Enterprise-grade firewall, web DNS
filtering, application filtering and
secure VPN interconnection
• Custom rules on vessels’ firewall, alert-
ing and web filtering service
• Assets/networks segmentation
• Vulnerabilities and threats assessment
via a complete network inventory
remote monitoring/reporting service;
automated alerts mechanism
• Network assets management (Ups,
printers, thin clients and other)
• 24/7 complete systems apps/files back
up/recovery, via MarPoint’s UNI
active-active triple cluster server
solution
• Desktop virtualisation and active
directory using Linux Thin clients
offering one account per crew member.
Thin clients remain the most reliable,
easiest-to-manage, most energy-
efficient and highest-security end-
point option available
• Software patching, based on cus-
tomised/scheduled downloading
sessions, for bandwidth and vessel’s
operations optimisation, in line with
the IMO 2021 regulation
• Intrusion Detection System (IDS) :
24/7/365 monitoring of traffic moving
on networks and through systems to
search for suspicious activity and
known threats, with zero day vulnera-
bility updates
• Antivirus integration with cloud host-
drive continuous improvements by identi-
fying and developing a tailored cybersecu-
rity program in a timely and cost-effective
manner, compared with hiring a tradition-
al consulting firm.”
The CyberInsights framework not only
aligns with IMO 2021 Guidelines but also
integrates with cybersecurity standards as
described in the U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST)
Cybersecurity Framework, the Centre for
Internet Security’s Critical Controls, and
the International Organisation for
Standardisation (ISO) 27001, among oth-
ers. Coupled with Speedcast’s consultative
support approach, CyberInsights facili-
tates real-time benchmarking and monitor-
ing that tracks mitigation progress.
“Our integrated approach offers
Speedcast’s customers a powerful tool for
implementing and sustaining their cyber-
security strategy, helping them to mitigate
damages arising from cyber threats," said
Cynthia Hudson, CEO of HudsonAnalytix,
parent company of HudsonCyber. “The
world has become more connected, and as
the threats against information and opera-
tional systems increase, this solution
becomes critical. Combining our unique
cybersecurity capabilities with the world’s
leading global satellite solutions provider,
we are very pleased to collaborate with
Speedcast to deliver high value-add, cost
efficient solutions to the industry.”
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 18
ing management portal for real time
holistic monitoring of the vessel’s
antivirus protection
Crew welfare services
• VoIP services: Newport seafarers now
enjoy unparallel crew calling services
• Crew hotspot cards: reliable internet
access is provided to the crew via
hotspot
• Evo News: Seafarers’ free time is spent
now more creatively by enjoying free
and unlimited access to worldwide
news/articles, along with a series of
video games, all without being con-
nected to the internet
Added-value MarPoint services
• MarPoint dedicated IT project manager
• Dedicated MarPoint IT team for
24/7/365 IT managed services, via an
automated ticketing system and with
standardised response times according
to the event
MarPoint’s Evo2 Router will enable Newport to control and optimise
vessels’ multi-person networks and enhance crew welfare services
Navarino’s cybersecurity solution
receives DNV Type Approval
www.dnv.com
www.navarino.co.uk
Navarino’s cybersecurity solution for mar-
itime, Infinity Plus or Infinity Cube with
Angel, has received Type Approval in
accordance with DNV’s Cyber Secure
(Advanced) class notation.
Angel secures a vessel’s business, IoT
and crew networks against cyber threats
by providing oversight, security threat
alerting and control of the vessel’s entire
network.
Angel’s DNV Type Approval applies to
Infinity Plus and Infinity Cube Dell 440
servers, on which the Angel service is
hosted.
The Cyber Secure class notation from
DNV addresses the cybersecurity of a ves-
sel’s main functions and shipowner’s oper-
ational needs. The notation comprises
three different qualifiers – Cyber Secure
Entry, Cyber Secure Essential and Cyber
Secure Advanced, with Angel having been
type approved with the 3rd level of DNV’s
Cyber Secure class notation: Cyber Secure
Advanced.
• Global network of MarPoint approved
partners for smooth onsite projects
implementation, regardless the vessels’
ports of destination
“As we move towards the era of ‘smart’
ships, the role of the modern IT manager in
a shipping company becomes a daily
multi-tasking challenge that needs to
ensure proper communication ship to
shore as well as proper operation of all IT
systems on board, 24/7 remote monitoring
and compliance with regulations,” said
Theofano Somaripa, CIO of Newport.
“By taking advantage of MarPoint’s
latest approved technology and excellent
proactive it managed services, I personal-
ly was able to have a peace of mind
regarding daily troubleshooting issues,
maintain 24/7 control over all operations,
providing at the same time an excellent
crew welfare experience to our valuable
Seafarers!”
With enhanced web filtering, antivirus
protection, intrusion detection and preven-
tion, application control, Honeypot, and
ICS/Scada protection, Angel delivers
multi-layered protection of the vessel. The
system’s core component is Juniper’s
Unified Threat Management platform,
which works through Infinity to separate
business, IoT and crew traffic, providing
separate, secure network traffic flows. This
is all backed up by a team of 24/7 security
specialists, based at Angel’s Security
Operations Centre in Athens, who are ded-
icated to handling any security issues.
Navarino CEO, Dimitris Tsikopoulos,
said: “We are very proud that Angel has
achieved type approval in accordance with
DNV’s Cyber Secure Advanced class nota-
tion. As the maritime sector’s digital evo-
lution gathers pace at an ever-greater rate,
choosing a cybersecurity solution that is
designed precisely for maritime is impor-
tant. Angel customers can rest assured that
their vessels enjoy certified levels of pro-
tection from cyber threats through a valu-
able collaboration of two industry leading
companies.”
p16-19 Cybersec_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 06:49 Page 4

Rates
starting at

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per GB
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:36 Page 1
SATCOMS
High-speed satellite connectivity and data are enabling
a revolution for cruise lines and their passengers
As the world is emerging from the lockdowns of the last two years, some of the cultural impacts of the pandemic
are here to stay. The various digital technologies that have been utilised to make our lives easier and keep
us connected during these challenging times have secured a permanent place in our everyday lives,
writes Gregory Martin, VP maritime market at SES Networks.
T
he same goes for today’s cruise
passengers who are expecting
unique, hassle-free experiences
while traveling and constant
connection to their friends and family at
home. As a result, cruise operators have
invested significant amounts of money in
meeting these expectations by providing
the onboard wearable technology, apps,
and seamless customer Wi-Fi on their ves-
sels – accelerating pre-existing trends.
Digitalisation for enhanced
passenger experiences
Well before the COVID-19 pandemic the
cruise industry had started to embrace an
enhanced level of digitalisation, with
major cruise lines developing internet of
things (IoT) solutions connected to wear-
able technologies and apps. These land-
mark programmes have accelerated, with
major operators taking advance of the
downtime over the last 2 years by schedul-
ing vessels for retrofits.
These new apps and wearables make
use of thousands of onboard sensors along-
side cloud-based data processing to allow
everything from keyless entry to state
rooms to one-click champagne delivery ser-
vices to any part of a vessel. By allowing
passengers to make even more choices to
optimally enjoy their vacation, they make it
truly easy for those holidaying to have
unique and tailored experiences.
Yet, this isn’t the only thing that’s
changed onboard cruise ships. Where pas-
senger Wi-Fi was once seen as an
afterthought by many and some cruise
passengers even happy (or relieved) to
turn off their phone, connectivity is nowa-
days regarded as a must-have. Apps like
Yahsat selects SpaceX to launch Thuraya 4-NGS
www.spacex.com
ww.thuraya.com
www.yahsat.com
Al Yah Satellite Communications
Company (Yahsat) has selected SpaceX’s
Falcon 9 to launch the advanced satellite
system, Thuraya 4-NGS.
Thuraya 4-NGS employs the latest satel-
lite communications technologies to
expand Thuraya’s coverage across Europe,
the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 was selected primari-
ly due to its high reliability and advanced
capabilities.
Thuraya 4-NGS is expected to spur
Yahsat’s growth across new and existing
product lines, with the new technology
offering higher capabilities and flexibility
while increasing capacity and coverage
across Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the
Middle East. Once operational in 2024,
Zoom, Teams, FaceTime, and WhatsApp
have kept people connected to friends and
families throughout lockdowns in the last
two years, and passengers on board now
expect to be able to share their experiences
in the same way wherever they are. This is
equally true with social applications like
Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook–
where usage trends are now higher than
they were some 18 months ago.
Early signs from Europe and Asia indi-
cate that these activities are driving a dra-
matic increase in passenger demand for
low latency data. Partners of SES
Networks using our O3b MEO solution
have noticed substantially higher vessel
data use on their first post-lockdown voy-
ages in Asia and on their ‘cruises to
nowhere’, despite the fact they were oper-
ating with significantly fewer passengers.
Connectivity improving
vessel efficiency
High-speed satellite connectivity provides
shipowners with the opportunity to collect
massive amounts of operational data.
Connected sensors can now be integrated
into virtually every mission critical piece of
equipment onboard a vessel, collecting
dozens of crucial data points a second. This
fast, reliable connectivity also provides
shipowners with the opportunity to anal-
yse this data in real-time, and leverage it
into significant cost savings.
Some cruise ships use this data, along-
side advanced cloud-based automation
technology, to make near immediate
adjustments to throttle settings and fuel
burn mixes in real time. This minimises
energy waste and vibrations – which is
especially important for the low emissions
Thuraya 4-NGS will enable next-genera-
tion connectivity solutions for all customer
segments, including defence, government
and enterprise.
Ali Al Hashemi, group chief executive
officer at Yahsat said: “We are delighted to
be launching Thuraya 4-NGS with SpaceX.
With their capability and capacity for
multi-launch sites, we are confident that
they are the right provider for us. The
agreement marks a significant milestone
for Yahsat as we continue to develop our
technology-enabled infrastructure to pre-
pare for the next stage of our growth.
“The UAE has established its position as
a competitive player in the space industry
by collaborating with global leaders such
as SpaceX. At Yahsat, we will continue
forging partnerships with the world’s most
innovative companies to enhance our com-
petitiveness, deliver on our ambitious
growth and expansion plans, and continue
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 20
engines that the industry is transitioning
to. As fuel can represent as much as 50 per
cent of the total operating cost of some
ships, this translates into substantial cost
savings while cutting maintenance costs.
This amount of data has also opened the
door for improved maintenance proce-
dures that reduce downtime for ships.
Condition monitoring systems, providing
onshore experts with real time information
about the status of critical systems, are
allowing remote diagnosis of problems and
rapid repairs. Increasingly, cruise operators
have gone beyond condition monitoring by
using data, AI, and specialist mechanics to
create digital recreations of their vessels
that can predict future issues.
Gregory Martin, VP maritime market
Delivering the data at SES Networks
for digitalisation
Digitalisation will continue to be a key dif-
ferentiator for cruise lines, as well as a key As data demands have rocketed
driver of profit. onboard passenger ships, we have imple-
As passenger expectations are continu- mented enhanced automations within our
ing to increase, while operational technolo- network – allowing operators to alter band-
gies use more and more bandwidth width allocations for individual vessels
onboard, shipowners need ensure that with the click of a button. This flexibility
they have the connectivity to handle the and capacity will increase further with our
data demands. next generation O3b mPOWER constella-
SES Networks’ current O3b service pro- tion when it comes into service in Q3 2022.
vides responsive, land-equivalent internet We can truly say we are currently expe-
virtually anywhere on earth to all of the riencing a revolution in the cruise indus-
cruise majors today. This uses low latency try. Data-intensive digitalisation is making
Mid Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites to pro- every cruise vacation truly unique, and
vide fibre-like speeds to any area within catering to new demographics experienc-
50° north or south of the equator, with geo- ing the thrills of a care-free holiday at sea
stationary satellites and land-based infras- for the first time. Operators must ensure
tructure providing global redundancy. that their satellite connectivity solution can
When outside of those areas, our service flexibly meet this exponential growth in
provides seamless coverage wherever you high-speed data demand, or be left behind
are located, from Alaska to Argentina. as customers expect better. DS
Thuraya 4-NGS is a next-generation advanced satellite system that is
expected to launch in 2023 and become operational by 2024
to create value for our customers, share- selected Falcon 9, one of the world’s most
holders and the UAE.” frequently flown launch vehicles, and we
“For launch of its advanced technology, look forward to a successful mission,” said
Yahsat sought a reliable and high-perfor- SpaceX vice president of commercial sales
mance ride to orbit. We’re proud it has Tom Ochinero.
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:36 Page 2

Unsure how to successfully

adopt a technical Fleet
Management System?

7 tips to a Successful Implementation

1. IDENTIFY important stakeholders

2. ALLOCATE resources and competences
3. A SPECIFICATION matching your needs
4. COORDINATE the IT installation
5. PRIORITIZE training
6. PREPARE your data
7. SEEK external inspiration

Get more information and download the

full article on sertica.com/download

sertica.com
sertica@rina.org
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:36 Page 3
SATCOMS
Satellite connectivity is evolving to help
shipping process a tidal wave of data
The collective sum of the world’s data is predicted to grow by 61 per cent by 2025 – amounting to a staggering
175 zettabytes[1] and the shipping industry will be impacted by this tidal wave of data.
A
lready we are seeing a signifi-
cant rise in onboard data use
and ship-to-shore data transfer
as digitalisation continues to
flood across maritime sectors. Vessel opti-
misation, data transfer, IoT and compli-
ance with increasing regulations and envi-
ronmental measures have made digital
connectivity a ‘must have’ for modern
shipping, according to satcom specialist
IEC Telecom.
“Data transfer and system automation
are core components of today’s ships, mak-
ing reliable and efficient connectivity the
backbone of operational continuity,” said
Nabil Ben Soussia, the company’s Asia &
Middle East CEO, advises that increasing
numbers of ships are now operating with
multiple lines of connectivity.
“It has become common practise to
equip an onboard network with one or two
back-up lines. Check the VSAT packages
Nabil Ben Soussia, IEC Telecom’s
Asia & Middle East CEO
Providence acquires majority shareholding in Marlink for $1.4bn
www.marlink.com
www.provequity.com
Private equity firm Providence Equity
Partners has agreed to acquire a majority
shareholding in Marlink from Apax
Partners. The transaction results in an
enterprise value for Marlink Group of
approximately $1.4bn; further details were
not disclosed.
Apax will retain a significant minority
shareholding. Marlink’s management
team and investment house Ardian has
also committed to minority interests.
Karim Tabet, senior managing director at
Providence said: “We are pleased to be part-
nering with such an outstanding business,
and, together with Apax and Ardian, we
look forward to supporting Erik Ceuppens
and his team as Marlink continues to be a
market leader and seeks to capitalise on
increased demand for higher bandwidth
on offer and you’ll notice that operators
include L-band by default to any Ka- or Ku-
offer. The business is changing,” he noted.
By 2025 the prediction is that almost 50
per cent of data will be stored in the cloud,
while about 30 per cent of data generated
will be consumed in real-time. High tech
ships are now offices at sea and the associ-
ated requirements for managing large vol-
umes of critical data via reliable connectiv-
ity are increasing exponentially.
Onboard connectivity as a system is also
becoming increasingly complicated.
Nowadays a large vessel’s network typi-
cally comprises three telecom networks
(WANs): VSAT, L-band and GSM. With
such reliance on satcoms connections it has
become essential to have an automated
failover facility to guarantee connectivity
at all times, with reliable back-up facilities
as well as an extremely robust, agile cyber-
security system maintained and updated
regularly in line with well thought out
operating protocols.
As this high-volume comms traffic and
data transfer grows it is crucial to monitor
usage, consumption and access levels for
effectiveness, cybersecurity purposes, and
to avoid a bill shock at the end of the month!
Network management systems, such as
IEC Telecom’s OneGate, have become cen-
tral to onboard connectivity. This technolo-
gy enables automated failover at least cost
routing meaning that, at each given
moment, a vessel can direct its comms traf-
fic over the most competitive channel.
Maximising onboard technology has also
led to optimisation of digital dashboards
which in turn has given the opportunity to
integrate specialist software for shipping
connectivity and digital solutions.”
Michaël Vervisch, managing director at
Providence added: “We have been
impressed by the company’s transforma-
tion into a branded broadband provider
leveraging its own hybrid network and
capturing scale benefits by taking a leader-
ship role in the industry. Furthermore, we
see significant future growth opportuni-
ties, including through offering value
added digital solutions.”
Bertrand Pivin, partner at Apax Partners
said: “Apax Partners first invested in
Marlink 15 years ago. Under the leadership
of Erik Ceuppens, the company trans-
formed its business model, tripled its rev-
enues and multiplied its EBITDA by 10. It
emerged as the worldwide leading Satellite
Service Operator, first in the maritime sec-
tor, and now, with the recent acquisition of
ITC Global, in the enterprise sector. The
10,000-strong remote broadband terminals
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 22
and offshore users, bringing shore-based
effectiveness onboard and enhancing the
ship-to-shore data and communications
relationship.
“The shipping industry requires soft-
ware capable of operating seamlessly over
GSM and satcom. At IEC Telecom we have
invested the past five years in the develop-
ment of specialised applications optimised
for the low-bandwidth environment. In
addition to enhanced compression, most of
our applications are pre-set to resume data
transfer from the moment of interruption
in case of any signal loss, saving time and
money,” explained Mr Ben Soussia.
The pandemic fast-tracked connectivity
development for the maritime world.
Marooned at sea, vessel operators had to
find new ways to connect and communi-
cate with their ships or offshore platforms
and the limitations of bandwidth restric-
tions focussed developers’ minds on over-
coming barriers and enabling the level of
communication required. Necessity may
have required such invention, but the ben-
efits have become so clear now that ship-
to-shore communications have been per-
manently transformed.
For example, videoconferencing is now
a corporate communication expectation
and, whereas previously it was almost
impossible to achieve at sea due to band-
width limitations and latency levels, new
software has been developed to enable
video-conferencing to be used even over
the limited speed of L-band back-up chan-
nels. This benefits vessel operating com-
munications as well as facilitating crew
services such as telemedicine and e-learn-
ing. Technology has also transformed
installed worldwide will serve as a spring-
board to design and deliver the much-
needed digital services which Marlink’s
direct customers are seeking for their busi-
ness-critical operations. We believe
Providence is the partner of choice to con-
duct the next stage of this extraordinary
Providence Equity Partners will acquire a majority shareholding in Marlink for $1.4bn
onboard maintenance. Systems such as IEC
Telecom’s newly added OneAssist applica-
tion with its handsfree headset supporting
voice, video-streaming and file exchange
enable repairs, spare part fitting, or vessel
system updates to be completed by a crew
member or onsite technician with real-
time, two-way communication to specialist
support onshore – saving time and money.
“What started as a preventive measure
has now become an efficient tool in helping
to optimise workflow and decrease opera-
tional expenses and the shipping industry
is now clamouring for more and more dig-
ital solutions as the benefits and opportu-
nities become apparent.”
As ships move ever closer towards the
possibility of full automation, the number
of business-critical applications will
increase exponentially, predicts IEC
Telecom, which means it is essential to
ensure that all these services can be deliv-
ered both over VSAT and back-up systems.
“In the modern age, vessel productivity
heavily depends on onboard applications.
When the VSAT signal is down, vessels
can no longer afford to limit communica-
tion to the email service traditionally
offered over L-band. It is imperative to
ensure optimal network performance at all
times and new satcom technologies are
there to provide business continuity even
over back-up. By investing in network
solutions you enhance your VSAT experi-
ence and secure higher returns due to
increased productivity,” noted Mr Ben
Soussia. DS
1] International Data Corporation (IDC) Data
Age 2025 whitepaper
journey. Apax is keen to roll-over part of its
investment and hold a significant fraction
of the share capital, in order to continue to
back this remarkable company.”
The transaction is expected to close in
the first half of 2022, subject to customary
and regulatory approvals.
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:36 Page 4
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:36 Page 5
SATCOMS
Catching up with Mr Sulaiman Al Ali,
CEO of Thuraya
UAE-based satellite operator, Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat) has been steaming ahead with
the development of its new half a billion-dollar L-band satellite ecosystem. Built by Airbus with operation
anticipated for 2024, Thuraya 4-NGS is expected to enhance coverage, boost speeds, and transform
products and solutions. We caught up with Mr Sulaiman Al Ali, Thuraya’s CEO, to find out how
the company has been progressing with the development of its latest programme.
T
huraya, the mobile satellite ser-
vices subsidiary of Yahsat, has
spent the last year meeting vari-
ous milestones in the develop-
ment of its electric propulsion satellite sys-
tem, Thuraya 4-NGS, with plans to launch
in 2023 and enter service in 2024. Accom-
modating three times the current number
of users under a hotspot area and deliver-
ing data speeds above 1Mbps (one of the
highest speeds in L-Band/MSS[1]), Thu-
raya 4-NGS will significantly enhance con-
nectivity at sea, provide greater opportu-
nities to optimise vessel performance,
increase safety of vessels at sea, and help
boost the wellbeing of the industry’s
seafarers.
Speaking with Digital Ship, Mr Sulaiman
Al Ali explained that the driving force
behind the new satellite innovation was
Thuraya’s desire to deliver more services
and enhanced capabilities to the end user
to meet shifts in market demands, and pre-
pare for them even before they arise. “One
of the difficulties we were facing before
were the limits on the number of users per
satellite system. But with this new technol-
ogy the system will be capable of handling
more customers, avoiding congestion
issues,” said Mr Al Ali.
The new ecosystem will be capable of
handling greater traffic than there is capac-
ity for today and is being designed with
the latest payload technology to ensure its
flexibility and adaptability to support the
surge in hotspot areas. Thanks to the
advanced technology available today,
Thuraya 4-NGS will connect latest IoT
technologies, sensors and automation plat-
forms to support multiple technologies
and boost cybersecurity in parts of the
market that have not been captured before.
Coverage
Thuraya 4-NGS will incorporate a large 12-
metre L-band antenna and a payload with
onboard processing, providing advanced
routing flexibility of up to 3,200 channels
with dynamic power allocation over a
number of spot beams.
In addition to the Atlantic/Indian
Oceans and Northern Europe, Thuraya 4-
NGS will have a wider coverage area
including the entire African continent and
the Cape of Good Hope. As one of the
world’s busiest shipping routes, capturing
this part of the world will be a major step
forward for Thuraya in the telecommuni-
cations market.
In particular, the coverage will prove
vital for fisheries. Mr Al Ali explained,
“The extra coverage will help governments
monitor fishing boats and ensure that they
are in compliance with regulations and
restrictions. If they are not, an alert will be
sent to the authority and then to the fishing
boat, enabling them to move as quickly as
possible and avoid penalties. This will also
support the growth of marine life and pre-
vent accidental fishing in protected areas.”
Furthermore, for seafarers onboard fish-
ing vessels, which are often operating in
harsh conditions for extended periods of
time, the additional connectivity onboard
will facilitate better access to data that can
be used for entertainment purposes or to
video call their families.
Flexible pricing
Thuraya is offering a flexible pricing model
based on usage. “Many of the services seen
in the market today are a one-size-fits-all
approach. When we looked into the areas
that we are covering, we saw each country
come up with different requirements and
of course each customer also had different
requirements. So based on this, we wanted
to create a package that would be flexible
for every user so it could meet their specif-
ic needs,” Mr Al Ali told us.
The flexible pricing structure allows
each customer’s requirements to be tai-
lored, ensuring they are not paying for
more than they need. “We have seen pre-
viously in the market that some customers
will come with requirements that are
above what they actually need. When we
started entering into these discussions
with the customers, we were able to identi-
fy how and where they could lower their
costs by providing them with a model tai-
lored to their needs.”
Building & design
The Thuraya 4-NGS programme has been
fully led by Emirati engineers as part of the
Yahsat Space Programme, marking a sig-
nificant growth of the space and satellite
sector in the UAE and showcasing the crit-
ical role played by Yahsat in the develop-
ment of satellite technologies in the coun-
try. The development of the programme
has involved close work with other UAE
space entities including UAE Space
Agency, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space
Centre (MBRSC), the National Space
Security Institute (NSSI), with the pro-
gramme having a strong commitment to
producing future generations of Emirati
space and satellite engineers and promot-
ing Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) education.
In 2017, the Yahsat Space Programme
also founded the Yahsat Space Lab and
today more than 30 UAE national interns
have been trained at the lab. The lab has
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 24
produced four CubeSats (miniature satel-
lites used in low Earth orbit) by students,
two of them funded by Yahsat. The first,
MYSat-1, was launched to the
International Space Station (ISS) in 2018 to
analyse communication with CubeSat,
establish telemetry download and take pic-
tures of the UAE’s land area. The second,
DhabiSat was launched to ISS in 2021 to
access the accuracy of Attitude
Determination and Control Subsystem
(ADCS) and take pictures to validate
the same. It was deployed to orbit in July
this year.
Navigating the pandemic
Despite the global pandemic, Thuraya has
kept on track with the development of 4-
NGS. Mr Al Ali attributes the company’s
progress to its strong customer and service
provider relationships. “When the lock-
down came, we were really grateful for the
partnerships and good relationships we
had built. We could still communicate with
everyone and push for a lot of sales
because we had good, trusted relation-
ships with our partners,” he explained.
Unsurprisingly, the transport of some
equipment was a little challenging when
the pandemic first hit but issues were
resolved quickly. One greater challenge Mr
Al Ali pointed to was the inability to deliv-
er in-person demonstrations. This loss of
direct human interaction that would usual-
ly be in abundance at exhibitions and helps
cement relationships was something Mr Al
Ali admitted was a little limiting. That
said, he confirmed it has enabled
Thuraya’s team to work even more closely
with their partners to deliver services to
customers on demand.
In June 2021, Thuraya announced the
confirmation of its Preliminary Design
Review (PDR) for Thuraya 4-NGS. A PDR
provides a comprehensive review, validat-
ing Airbus’ design approach for both the
physical and functional requirements of
the satellite system. It also marks an impor-
tant step towards the on-schedule comple-
tion of the satellite and confirms its effec-
tiveness for in-orbit operation.
In addition to the PDR being a major
milestone in the programme’s develop-
ment, the achievement also demonstrates
Yahsat’s commitment towards transform-
ing Thuraya and building its next-genera-
tion system.
On September 2, 2021, Yahsat signed an
agreement with the Spanish hi-tech group,
GMV to supply the control centre and
flight dynamics system for Thuraya 4-
NGS. The control system will provide safe
and reliable control of the satellite over its
Mr Sulaiman Al Ali, CEO of Thuraya
service life using efficient and easy-to-use
tools. For the flight dynamics system,
Yahsat will help improve performance and
increase the operational life of the Thuraya
4-NGS satellite, which will improve the
company’s long-term capital expenditure
efficiency.
On September 8, 2021, SpaceX was cho-
sen by Yahsat to launch Thuraya 4-NGS.
According to Thuraya, SpaceX’s Falcon 9
was selected largely due to its high relia-
bility and advanced capabilities.
Thuraya has also been refurbishing its
ground segment portfolio and services. In
2020, the company worked with Ericsson
for a core network modernisation and
upgrade to a 4G and 5G ready infrastruc-
ture. As a result, mobile-data users based
in remote areas where traffic is dense,
will benefit from higher availability and
reliability.
Future plans
In addition to the launch of Thuraya 4-
NGS, the company will continue to
enhance its web-based tracking and moni-
toring service, SatTrack. The ultimate goal,
according to Mr Al Ali, is to build an entire
ecosystem around this service, further
optimising onboard operations through
condition-based monitoring, reducing
OPEX and boosting communication
between onshore and offshore teams.
The company’s 2019-launched maritime
voice solution with tracking and monitor-
ing capabilities, MarineStar, will also bene-
fit from some upgrades throughout 2022.
Mr Al Ali noted that due to demand from
fisheries, the company has experienced
bulk orders of MarineStar and will contin-
ue working with third-party system inte-
grators to add other tracking platforms to
Thuraya’s portfolio. DS
1] Mobile Satellite Services
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:37 Page 6
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:37 Page 7
SATCOMS
Cobham joins Thuraya 4-NGS satellite programme
www.cobhamsatcom.com
www.thuraya.com
www.yahsat.com
Al Yah Satellite Communications Company
(Yahsat) has selected Cobham SATCOM to
deliver a comprehensive mobile broad-
band system, including ground infrastruc-
ture and products, to operate as part of the
Thuraya 4-NGS satellite system.
Cobham SATCOM’s expertise and
capabilities are expected to enhance
Yahsat’s Mobile Satellite Services (MSS)
advanced broadband data services,
enabling the Thuraya 4-NGS ground net-
work with 4G and 5G capabilities and fea-
tures. Yahsat seeks to increase its share in
the global satellite data services, market
which is currently valued at more than
Leif Ottosson, CEO, Cobham SATCOM (left) and Ali Al Hashemi, Group CEO
Navarino upgrades Spectrum to simplify IT network management
www.navarino.co.uk
Navarino has introduced several new key
features to its software suite, Spectrum, to
help maritime IT managers simplify the
way they work.
Spectrum offers IT managers a cen-
tralised platform for remote monitoring,
maintenance and management of the
entire IT and connectivity infrastructure
onboard. This includes network devices,
satellite terminals, operating systems,
applications and security measures.
Update manager
Spectrum allows maritime IT managers to
download updates and patches that are
automatically deployed to all computers
onboard, rather than having to individual-
ly download them to each piece of IT
infrastructure.
Furthermore, updates and patches are
downloaded only once and then deployed
across the vessel, rather than having to be
downloaded multiple times by each
onboard computer, resulting in a highly
efficient solution that saves both time and
bandwidth.
Risk management reporting tools
Spectrum's Risk Management Reporting
Tool is based around the Bureau Veritas
NR659 rules on Cyber Security for
Maritime Units. It automatically populates
all the onboard network-enabled equip-
ment to provide a complete picture of the
US$5 billion and is projected to reach more
than US$19 billion by 2027[1].
Cobham SATCOM’s solutions will also
increase connection speeds, enabling inte-
grated end-to-end customer solutions, and
expand Thuraya’s ecosystem to provide
superior and pioneering features in the
mobile satellite communications sector.
The partnership will enhance Yahsat’s
services to several key customer segments
in land, maritime and aeronautical, includ-
ing military, government and enterprise.
This partnership agreement is transfor-
mative for the group, its customers and
business partners. It will enable the provi-
sion of best-in-class solutions, delivery of
mobile satellite connectivity at the highest
speeds in the market and broaden Yahsat
and Thuraya’s product and service offer-
equipment, software catalogue and net-
work topology and includes equipment
that is connected to both the vessels’ IT
network as well as OT assets.
This information is then available to
download and print in a complete report
that helps vessels comply with the inven-
tory reports needed for the new IMO 2021
cyber risk requirements and which cap-
tain’s can easily print out to provide
he most updated documentation for
inspectors.
Customisable network usage
Spectrum allows IT managers to choose
which connectivity network to use to
Spectrum offers IT managers a centralised platform for remote monitoring, maintenance
and management of the entire IT and connectivity infrastructure onboard
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 26
ing, creating a platform for further innova-
tion and development of features and
applications across a wide range of sectors.
Critically, it further strengthens Yahsat’s
position as an industry leader and lays a
solid foundation to support future growth.
“We are excited to announce our part-
nership with Cobham SATCOM, a well-
established and experienced industry play-
er. This partnership is representative of
Yahsat's commitment to build on our strong
mobile satellite solutions legacy by expand-
ing our reach and delivering advanced tech-
nological solutions to our clients. I am con-
fident that this agreement will further
strengthen our position as an innovative
market leader and enable us to capture
future growth,” said Ali Al Hashemi, group
chief executive officer at Yahsat.
Leif Ottosson, CEO at Cobham SAT-
COM, said: “Today is monumental for
Cobham SATCOM. It marks a new and
innovative partnership with Yahsat, rein-
forces our position as a leading MSS infra-
structure and terminal provider and will be
critical to evolving satellite communica-
tions. We were selected by Yahsat because
they believe in our relationship and trust
our solutions. We look forward to a fruitful
partnership with Yahsat and Thuraya for
years to come, initially building the
Thuraya 4-NGS ground infrastructure and
terminals to deliver the highest connectivity
speeds globally.”
The contract with Cobham SATCOM
will specifically drive a range of commer-
cial and government focused terminals for
land, maritime and aeronautical applica-
download files and when, meaning they
can schedule downloads using only the
most cost-effective bandwidth option and
ensure downloads do not occur during
busy times onboard to avoid disruption.
Navarino’s product manager, Nikolas
Papanikolaou, said: “As with all Navarino
technology services, Spectrum is constant-
ly updated based on feedback from its
users. Easily deployed to any Infinity
units, Spectrum is here to help our cus-
tomers work smarter and we welcome any
ideas for additional functionalities that
they may have to help them achieve a bet-
ter way of working.”
tions. The award of this contract to
Cobham SATCOM reflects its extensive
30-year experience as the global leader in
L-band ground infrastructure, and further
cements their leadership in L-band.
Thuraya 4-NGS is planned for launch in
the second half of 2023, with operations
commencing in 2024.
1] Applied Market Research, ‘Satellite Data
Services Market’ – 2021
Telesat and NSSLGlobal
collaborate on Telesat
Lightspeed LEO network
www.nsslglobal.com
www.telesat.com
NSSLGlobal and Telesat have signed a
long-term strategic co-operation agree-
ment to collaborate on the commercial and
technical aspects of Telesat’s new Low
Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation, Telesat
Lightspeed.
Telesat Lightspeed will initially consist
of a global mesh network of 298 state-of
the-art LEO satellites that are seamlessly
integrated with on-ground data networks.
Telesat Lightspeed will be an advanced
LEO network, optimised to serve the con-
nectivity requirements of enterprise, gov-
ernment and mobility customers.
The agreement will include the integra-
tion of Telesat Lightspeed services into
NSSLGlobal’s value-added network, pro-
viding an expanded service portfolio that
delivers increased performance, flexibility
and resiliency for customers. NSSLGlobal
will provide a European end-user testing
and trials facility for Telesat Lightspeed
services at its UK Headquarters. From this
facility, NSSLGlobal will support Telesat
with service testing, performance valida-
tion and customer onboarding to the
Telesat Lightspeed network, and conduct
field testing of user terminals from a range
of providers.
NSSLGlobal intends to market Telesat
Lightspeed services into the European
Defence and Maritime markets.
Sally-Anne Ray, Group CEO
NSSLGlobal said: “We have been working
in close co-operation with Telesat for
many years and on Telesat Lightspeed
since 2019, including live demonstrations
for key customers, and we are delighted to
formally expand our partnership. Telesat
Lightspeed will be a game-changer for our
long-standing customers who demand the
most reliable, cutting-edge technologies
on the market. It is the only LEO satellite
constellation offering that has been specif-
ically designed first and foremost for
mobility customers on land, sea and air.
As cloud-based services become ever
more prevalent within our customers’ net-
works, it is vital that we are able to sup-
port these latency-sensitive applications
whilst continuing to guarantee our gov-
ernment and maritime customers the
highest levels of security, support and the
value-added services that they have come
to expect from NSSLGlobal.”
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:37 Page 8

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UL[^VYRZVS\[PVUZ
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SATCOMS
Mackay Marine chosen as Iridium GMDSS service provider partner
www.iridium.com
www.mackaycomm.com
Marine electronics and satellite communi-
cations provider Mackay Marine has
joined Iridium’s Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System (GMDSS) as a service
provider.
Mackay is a global partner with Lars
Thrane, the first and currently the only
Mackay Marine has joined Iridium’s Global Maritime Distress
and Safety System (GMDSS) as a service provider
Spire Global to acquire exactEarth
www.exactearth.com
www.spire.com
Spire Global has announced the acquisi-
tion of exactEarth for approximately
US$161.2 million.
The total transaction is comprised of
approximately US$103.4m in cash and
US$57.8m in Spire’s Class A Common
Stock. Once completed, exactEarth will
become a fully owned subsidiary of Spire
and continue to operate from Cambridge,
Ontario, Canada under the leadership of
exactEarth’s CEO Peter Mabson, reporting
directly to Spire CEO Peter Platzer.
The combined company aims to be
transformative for customers and the mar-
itime industry. Bringing together real-time
and historical space-based maritime data,
Spire and exactEarth will provide cus-
tomers with innovative solutions that drive
the digitalisation of the almost US$2 trillion
global maritime industry, such as better
fleet visibility for more efficient routing,
cost savings from reduced fuel consump-
tion, and a lower environmental footprint.
“Peter and I share a vision about the
opportunity for space-based maritime data
and the digitalisation of the global mar-
itime industry, and I look forward to pur-
suing that vision together,” said Peter
Platzer, Spire’s CEO. “I have great respect
for the highly experienced team at
exactEarth and am excited to continue
driving this digital transformation togeth-
er, serving more customers with a more
robust data and solutions platform.”
“We look forward to joining forces with
the Spire team to not only have an impact on
the maritime industry, but also to have an
impact on the planet, through offering cus-
tomers enhanced data solutions that are
designed to impact not only a company’s
bottom line, but also its environmental foot-
manufacturer of an IMO-certified Iridium
GMDSS terminal, the LT-3100S.
Iridium’s implementation and acceler-
ated activations of its GMDSS systems
have been full speed ahead since officially
launching its global service in December
2020. This was preceded by 13,000+ service
tests and LT3100S onboard assurances, and
the 2018 official recognition of Iridium’s
GMDSS service by the International
print,” said Peter Mabson, exactEarth CEO.
The acquisition aims to:
• Increase Spire’s customer base by over 75
per cent. In the maritime S-AIS (Satellite-
Automatic Identification System) indus-
try, exactEarth will accelerate Spire’s
expansion by adding over 150 customers.
These customers in the commercial and
government sectors will provide sub-
stantial cross-selling opportunities of
Spire’s data and analytics products
• Minority indirect ownership stake in IoT
provider Myriota, a fast-growing player
in the low-cost, low-power, secure direct-
to-orbit satellite connectivity for Internet
of Things. This affords Spire a solid first
foothold in this high-growth industry of
space-based IoT solutions. exactEarth
will retain its board seat
• Strong addition to ARR. With approxi-
mately 90 per cent of exactEarth’s USD
18.2 million LTM revenue under sub-
scription contracts, and a Net Retention
Rate of approximately 130 per cent,
exactEarth will accelerate Spire’s
growth in annual recurring revenue (ARR)
• Expands Historical Database to acceler-
ate AI/ML driven product development.
exactEarth’s 10-year archive of AIS data
will substantially increase Spire’s histori-
cal maritime (AIS) data set, accelerating
Spire’s new product offerings and solutions
• Adds depth of experience to maritime
and product development teams. With
an average tenure of over 7 years,
exactEarth’s experienced sales and
product development team will enhance
Spire’s global market capability and
reach in the maritime industry
• Expands Spire’s geographic footprint.
exactEarth sells to 39 countries around
the world
This acquisition is expected to close in the
fourth quarter of 2021 or first quarter of 2022.
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 28
Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime
Safety Committee (MSC).
This ground-breaking safety-at-sea
solution is the first IMO-approved alterna-
tive system to Inmarsat-C since GMDSS
became operational in 1999. Iridium’s
GMDSS network architecture, coupled
with Lars Thrane’s terminal features, pro-
vide safety and connectivity enhancements
for mariners, offering coverage, capability,
and cost benefits, including:
• Primary advantages of Iridium’s
GMDSS Service are its unique truly
global coverage; a Safety & Distress
priority button that initiates a voice call
direct to an RCC, triggering relayed
alerts; automatic storage of Maritime
Safety Information (MSI), and pre-con-
figured voice access to medical services
• The robust LT-3100S GMDSS terminal
is a compact, integrated satcom termi-
nal with a high performance GNSS/
GPS receiver, providing voice, data
and tracking services; all connected to
its low-profile antenna by a single coax
cable, up to 500m long. Certified
installers, such as Mackay, will ensure
required integration and warranty
protection
Collectively, these feature-sets are significant
Döhle partners with Navarino to
upgrade connectivity on 100+ vessels
www.doehle.de
www.navarino.co.uk
Shipowner and manager Döhle Group has
partnered with Navarino in a major tech-
nology and connectivity project that will
see Inmarsat Fleet Xpress (FX) and Infinity
rolled out on more than 100 vessels.
The company has selected Navarino to
combine the high-speed connectivity of FX
with the advanced digitalisation tools of
Infinity across several of its managed fleets
in order to provide them with a major tech-
nology upgrade. Intellian is the chosen
antenna manufacturer with the NX series
Döhle Group has partnered with Navarino in a major technology and connectivity project
improvements to its predecessor system.
The Lars Thrane LT-3100S capabilities
continue to evolve. An external interface
module is now available to support addi-
tional features that will soon be available,
including the IMO / ISPS regulatory require-
ments for SSAS (09/21) and LRIT (12/21).
“Mackay is delighted to be selected as
an Iridium GMDSS global service provider
to promote this innovative GMDSS system
broadly to global resellers, integration
partners and Mackay’s diverse customer
base, served from our 50+ global loca-
tions,” stated Matt Krupinski, Mackay’s
director of satellite services. “The
enhanced features of Iridium’s GMDSS
package are a welcome compliment to
Mackay’s current broad line of electronics
and marine service portfolio.”
“The unique combination of Iridium
GMDSS service and Lars Thrane’s terminal
not only offer the security of a long-await-
ed enhanced emergency system, but reli-
able communication alternatives to a wide
range of mariners; appealing beyond
SOLAS-required vessels to include coastal,
workboat, commercial fishing, charter
yachts and leisure craft,” commented Kai
Madsen, Mackay Communications, marine
satellite sales manager.
model. More than 90 vessels have been
installed.
Benjamin Weltz, head of fleet IT at
Döhle Group said: “Inmarsat’s FX and
Navarino’s Infinity were proven success-
ful during sea trials. We decided to
migrate our fleet because we needed a
reliable and fast connectivity solution in
order to meet the increased bandwidth
demand, while at the same time allowing
us to control our costs. Furthermore, the
solution helps us to provide a higher level
of crew connectivity, allowing them to
stay in touch with family and friends as if
they were ashore.”
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 10:37 Page 10
Briese Schiffahrt commits more vessels to KVH AgilePlans
www.briese.de
www.kvh.com
German ship manager Briese Schiffahrt
has expanded its relationship with KVH
Industries as it continues to roll out its sub-
scription-based Connectivity as a Service
(CaaS) programme, AgilePlans.
Over the last two years, Briese
Schiffahrt has rapidly grown its installed
base from five to 38 vessels and has plans
to continue the growth further.
According to the German ship manager,
the flexibility of KVH’s no-commitment
AgilePlans programme and the reliability
of the global VSAT services in supporting
critical operational usage and crew com-
munications were reasons for selecting
KVH.
“For us, it is very important to work
with a company that is able to provide the
ease and flexibility of paying monthly
without any commitment worries,” said
Holger Börchers, IT manager for Briese
Schiffahrt. “It shows that KVH under-
stands the commercial maritime market
and the fact that fleet sizes change.
Hapag-Lloyd renews and expands
Inmarsat Fleet Xpress commitment
www.hapag-lloyd.com
www.inmarsat.com
Inmarsat has expanded its agreement to
deliver maritime broadband to Hapag-
Lloyd, after the transport group renewed its
Fleet Xpress contract for a further five years
and committed 33 more ships to the very
small aperture terminal (VSAT) service.
Under the extended agreement, which
now covers 77 ships, the Fleet Xpress
hybrid of Ka-band and continuous L-band
back-up service replaces Ku-band systems
onboard ships merged into the Hapag-
Lloyd fleet following the earlier acquisi-
tion of United Arab Shipping Company
(UASC) in May 2017. Scheduled Fleet
Xpress installations enable seamless ser-
vice migration based on the end of the out-
going supplier’s contract.
“The further standardisation of our
vessel communication systems is central to
our Maritime IT strategy,” said Florian
Liebetrau, director IT - marine & maritime
operations, Hapag-Lloyd. “The outstand-
ing reliability and robustness of Inmarsat’s
Fleet Xpress as a product played a key role
in our decision to expand our commitment.
Hapag-Lloyd has a mature strategy for its
vessel connectivity and management
which demands systems-wide predictabili-
ty, reliability, and integration to sustain our
global vision for container transport.”
Hapag Lloyd was one of the first major
global shipping companies to commit to
Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress following service
launch in 2016, transitioning all of its in-
house managed ships to Inmarsat’s mar-
itime broadband service for vessel opera-
tions and crew connectivity. The five-year
contract envisaged expanding data traffic
and scalability to handle fleet growth.
“We are delighted to renew and expand
the work we do with one of shipping’s
“KVH AgilePlans provides full cover-
age of all fees in one price, and we have
found working with KVH to be seamless.”
The arrangement was facilitated by
Heiko Höfer, managing director of Dualog
Nordic, KVH’s airtime service provider in
Germany.
“Our success here is owing to the close-
knit relationships of trust, support, and
dependability that have been forged in the
local market over many years,” said
Thomas Plüschau, KVH regional sales
manager for Germany. “These strong and
positive working relationships, combined
with the power of AgilePlans, enables us to
help drive change, modernisation, and
business in critical shipping hubs.”
Briese Schiffahrt manages a fleet of pro-
ject cargo vessels, bulk carriers, and con-
tainerships, and performs crew manage-
ment for more than 2,000 seafarers.
“Every morning, our crew program is
synchronised and when a seafarer steps on
a KVH-equipped vessel, it automatically
recognises the crew member and provides
the appropriate Internet access,” he said.
“We know that we need to offer good con-
Hapag Lloyd’s Hamburg Express
most advanced owners for IT, ship-shore
connectivity and digitalisation,” said
Ronald Spithout, president, Inmarsat
Maritime. “Standardisation and integration
are pivotal enablers for corporates. This
agreement and its expansion to 33 addi-
tional ships clearly demonstrate Hapag-
Lloyd’s objectives are being met by the reli-
ability, performance, and service support
provided by Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress.”
The new agreement includes the flexi-
bility for Fleet Xpress-connected ships that
are managed out of house and linked to
Hapag-Lloyd operations to be brought
under the same contract terms without
renegotiation.
Offering an insight into the major devel-
opments in shipping’s digital journey in
recent years, Spithout said, “The average
committed information rates of data
acceptable to deep-sea container lines
today are roughly double the maximum
information rates they expected in 2016.
On average, a container ship’s monthly
data traffic in 2021 is around three and a
half times the level experienced five years
ago. Inmarsat is meeting this rapid growth
in demand for connectivity at sea.”
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 29
nectivity in order to get and keep good
crew members. Our plan is to equip every
vessel that is sailing on waters more than
50 miles from the coast with VSAT,” con-
tinued Börchers.
Nearly all of the 38 KVH-equipped
Briese Schiffahrt vessels use the TracPhone
V7-HTS, a 60 cm diameter satellite com-
munications antenna system designed to
provide data speeds up to 10 Mbps
down/3 Mbps up. Two vessels use the
TracPhone V3-HTS, a 39 cm diameter sys-
tem featuring data speeds up to 6 Mbps
down/2 Mbps up, and one vessel uses the
TracPhone V11-HTS, a 1-meter diameter
system featuring data speeds up to 20
Mbps down/3 Mbps up.
“Briese will build a number of new ves-
sels during the next years and all of them
will be equipped with a KVH V11-HTS.
The very first of this new generation
is planned to be delivered in mid-
November.”
The AgilePlans program also includes
the NEWSlink service, which enables sea-
farers on the Briese Schiffahrt vessels to
access daily news content from around the
FrontM and Marshal Systems partner
to expand digital services
www.frontm.com
www.marshal-systems.com
Software firm FrontM has partnered with
systems integrator Marshal Systems to pro-
vide marine businesses in Southeast Asia
with access to the companies’ communica-
tion tools and digital platform services.
The collaboration will bring together a
satellite optimised digital platform with
communication and offline workflow
automation tools to provide marine and
offshore businesses with better communi-
cation and connectivity capabilities.
The partnership will deliver person-
alised micro app workflow experiences
between channels (Web, iOS, and
Android) via a single, cost-effective scal-
able platform. Customers will be provided
with real-time insights and marketplace
deployment of solutions to keep abreast of
industry demand.
In addition, scalable architecture will
provide maritime businesses with the free-
Kiran Venkatesh, FrontM CEO
Digital Ship
Nearly all of the 38 KVH-equipped
Briese Schiffahrt vessels use
KVH’s TracPhone V7-HTS
world, an important aspect of crew wel-
fare. The NEWSlink service includes more
than 65 national seafarer news dailies in
more than 20 languages, plus monthly spe-
cial interest editions.
dom to create highly differentiated digital
experiences.
The collaboration will also help to
reduce operating costs by retiring unreli-
able legacy systems and bandwidth intense
terrestrial video conferencing services.
Marshal’s recently developed product,
“iM Kiosk” will be integrated into the
FrontM marketplace, providing a web-
based centralised monitoring system with
bio-metric authentication to address vari-
ous use cases such as remote monitoring.
"We are excited to enter into this part-
nership with Marshal systems. Our com-
bined capabilities will help marine and oil
and gas clients rapidly transform their
operations with digital communication
and automation solutions. Working with
Marshal, we look forward to rolling out a
suit of FrontM marketplace apps and bring
the flexibility of FrontM's API to adapt to
new market trends and needs" said Kiran
Venkatesh, FrontM’s CEO.
“Singapore plays a key role on the glob-
al stage as a leading maritime hub and is
well placed to serve the varied interests of
international shipping. Based in
Singapore, Marshal has a track record that
spans over more than two decades serving
global oil and gas and marine customers
on large-scale international projects.
Marshal is excited to partner with FrontM
to equip offshore oil & gas operating assets
and the shipping community with opti-
mised satellite communication tools for
ship to shore communication together
with advanced digital innovation and
business agility. We are confident that this
partnership will bring significant cost
advantage and superior performance to
our customers as we introduce them to the
FrontM digital platform,” said Ng Yeau
Chong managing director of Marshal
Systems, Singapore.
p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 1

SOFTWARE AND SENSORS

BunkerMetric and Veson collaborate

to optimise bunker procurement
BunkerMetric has teamed up with Veson Nautical to optimise bunker procurement
by providing mutual customers with data-driven insights for bunkering decision-making.

T
he Scandinavian software com-
pany BunkerMetric has joined
the Veson Partner Network as
an official platform partner.
This partnership will see BunkerMetric’s
bunker procurement optimisation tool,
BunkerPlanner, integrated with the Veson
IMOS Platform (VIP), to empower mutual
clients with the data-driven insights and
connectivity they need to optimise their
bunkering decisions.
The turnkey integration will help
streamline and improve the complex, often
fragmented workflows involved with
bunker procurement planning, enabling
more optimal bunker decisions that save
time, money, and resources.
Customers of the integrated platform
will be provided with relevant voyage
itinerary and activity reporting data from
VIP, which can be imported directly into
BunkerPlanner where it is analysed within
the context of a voyage’s commercial, reg-
ulatory, and operational obligations to
help improve voyage yields through
bunker optimisation. BunkerPlanner does
this by combining data such as charterpar-
ty agreements, vessel specifics, positions,
routes, ETA, tank capacity, bunker prices,
port details, and sailing distances to make
recommendations for the optimal fuel
quantity, ideal ports, dates, and type of
fuel to lift at each location.
Direct and secure integration between
BunkerPlanner and VIP saves teams time
spent coordinating voyage decisions
between chartering, operations, and
BunkerMetric’s bunker procurement optimisation platform helps shipping firms
to make better data-driven decisions around bunkering
bunker procurement, helping teams work
together more efficiently and prevent cost-
ly errors and misunderstandings.
The integration will also provide
greater transparency into the environmen-
tal impact of bunkering decisions so that
organisations can stay up to date with
reporting requirements that evolving regu-
lations require. An embedded Carbon
Intensity Indicator (CII) calculator within
BunkerPlanner helps operators under-
stand consumption effects to not only
increase voyage profitability, but also cut
down on emissions and improve the fleet’s
performance.
Kris Kosmala, chief commercial officer,
BunkerMetric, said: “We are very pleased
to collaborate with Veson as a Platform
Partner. BunkerPlanner and VIP can
together streamline workflows and uncov-
er impactful new efficiencies and cost sav-
ings for mutual clients.
Our use cases indicate that by optimis-
ing the fuel procurement process, the
potential operational savings for an organ-
isation can reach tens of thousands of dol-
lars per voyage.”
With the ability to integrate commercial
voyage plans in VIP with optimal bunker-
ing plans generated by BunkerPlanner,
clients can gain greater control over the
proactive management of the largest cost
component of every voyage: bunkers.
Graham Piasecki, director of commer-
cial strategy, Veson Nautical, said: “In an
increasingly competitive market land-
scape, organisations need advanced plan-
ning optimisation tools that integrate
bunker-related information from within
the company commercially operating the
vessel as well as with external data
sources. By working together with
BunkerMetric on bunker optimisation, we
can put powerful tools into the hands of
our clients that provide new transparency
and insights into such a significantly
strategic component of every voyage.” DS

P&O launches wearable fatigue management technology

www.pomaritime.com has previously been used in the mining
and trucking industries to eliminate safety
P&O Maritime Logistics has begun Phase 1 incidents due to fatigue.
of its implementation of wearable technol- P&O Maritime is testing the effective-
ogy that proactively prevents microsleeps ness of this technology to bring leading-
and supports workers in managing their edge safety to its operations and customers.
fatigue. The wearable technology actively moni-
SmartCap from Wenco International tors real-time fatigue levels of employees,
Mining Systems, a wholly owned sub- sensing when a worker has reduced ability
sidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery, to resist sleep. The system then activates an
P&O launches wearable fatigue management technology
alert system, notifying the wearer to take
action to prevent a safety incident.
SmartCap works independently but has
been designed to complement existing
safety technologies and protocols common
throughout heavy industry.
According to P&O, companies that have
used SmartCap as part of their safety pro-
tocols have reported a significant decline in
the number of fatigue-related incidents.
After the conclusion of the initial 90-day
phase, which began on July 27 with a
group of employees at the Jebel Ali port in
Dubai, P&O Maritime Logistics will assess
the success of the system and how to inte-
grate it across its entire network.
A key element of SmartCap technology
is that it puts wearers in charge of manag-
ing their fatigue by sending them private
early warning alerts. By keeping the alert
private to wearers rather than triggering a
central alert, SmartCap empowers workers
to act on their fatigue pre-emptively with a
proven scoring system that pinpoints
propensity to resist sleep.
At P&O Maritime Logistics, SmartCap
is intended to complement existing safety
and fatigue management systems and pro-
tocols. Crew always have the right and
responsibility to stop working if they ever
feel too tired.
SmartCap also assists P&O Maritime
Logistics in eliminating fatigue-related inci-
dents through escalated intervention alarms
that are customised to local fatigue manage-
ment policies. The technology can be adapt-
ed to various vessel operating requirements,
including crew work hours and rotations.
“I’m incredibly proud that P&O
Maritime Logistics is leading our industry
by piloting this innovative safety technolo-
gy. We’re always looking for ways that we
can boost the safety of our crews and
empower them to ensure that safety is
always front of mind,” said Martin
Helweg, CEO of P&O Maritime Logistics.
“As P&O Maritime Logistics is a tech-
driven business, the SmartCap system is an
exciting way we can look to introduce
innovative solutions that help in our efforts
to continuously boost our high safety stan-
dards. With technology such as SmartCap,
it also gives us a high-level view of our
safety programme and will help us track
fatigue across our crews.
“I look forward to seeing the results of
the pilot and to working closely with
Wenco International Mining Systems on
understanding how this tech can become
integrated into our safety systems.”

Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 30

test page_Test Page.qxd 12/10/2021 23:56 Page 1

DIGITALIZATION

Where today
meets tomorrow.
The promise of a digital future is no longer tomorrow’s idea. With Siemens
Digital Industries Software, the future of digitalization is here today.
siemens.com/marine

sie-ad-marine_DigitalShip_283x382mm-revised.indd 5 10/12/2021 3:13:27 PM

p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 3
SOFTWARE AND SENSORS
DTN and OrbitMI partner up
to enrich weather data
www.dtn.com
www.orbitmi.com
Data, analytics and technology company
DTN has partnered with OrbitMI to pro-
vide weather data via Orbit, the compa-
ny’s software-as-as-service (SaaS) product.
Orbit aggregates and integrates data
from vessels and existing shore-based sys-
tems, amplifies it using machine learning
and activates it through dashboards, alerts
and actionable insights delivered in real-
time via desktop, tablet and smartphone.
In the integration with DTN, Orbit ingests
data from DTN marine weather, integrates
it with other feeds from the customer’s
technology stack to reveal hidden insights
about weather, routes, speed, consump-
tion, TCE, vessel schedules and more.
For example, Orbit currently alerts
operators when vessels deviate from con-
tracted speeds, bunker consumption as
well as changes to ETA, which could sig-
nal that a vessel may arrive too late to its
scheduled port. With the DTN integration,
Orbit can deliver augmented alerts which
include weather and route-related infor-
mation such as: ‘Your vessel is not cur-
rently sailing the optimal route. Adverse
weather developing is expected to delay
the ETA by 14 hours and consume an
additional 14.1 MT, when compared
against the weather optimised route.’
Orbit’s SaaS product aggregates and integrates
data from vessels and existing shore-based systems
www.iocurrents.com
ioCurrents’ edge computing platform
MarineInsight has experienced a surge in
demand in recent months as the shipping
sector steps up to meet decarbonisation
goals. To meet growing demand, a new
Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
division has been established.
ioCurrents is designed to provide
shipowners and charterers with meaning-
ful insights into vessel fuel consumption,
parts failure predictions and condition-
based maintenance planning. The compa-
ny’s proprietary platform uses artificial
These alerts could include recommenda-
tions to reroute vessels to avoid these
conditions.
“Nearly every maritime decision has a
dependency on the weather, from safety
and routing to fuel usage and vessel effi-
ciency. Integrating our enriched weather
data into the Orbit workflow means that
all teams, from the office to the ocean,
have a single source of truth,” explained
DTN vice president of weather operations
Renny Vandewege. “It removes the need
to switch between single-purpose systems
and apps and provides richer, more com-
prehensive insights.”
DTN weather intelligence is backed by
a proprietary marine forecasting engine
which includes more than 500 weather
parameters. It is a flexible configuration
with full spectral wave data from any loca-
tion worldwide. The high-resolution data
is fully supported by master mariners and
meteorologists.
“The real-time weather analytics from
DTN will allow OrbitMI to offer its cus-
tomers even deeper insights that empower
them to make confident decisions about
crew and cargo safety, vessel management
and reducing CO2 emissions,” noted Ali
Riaz, CEO of OrbitMI. “This partnership
continues to help our customers seamless-
ly move through the digital transforma-
tion of the maritime industry.”
ioCurrents sets up EMEA division
intelligence (AI) and machine learning to
analyse data from different sensors around
a vessel to provide clear and concise
actionable results.
The new division will be headed up by
EMEA sales manager Toby Harris. Toby
has a wealth of experience in ship broker-
ing and chartering having worked for
Tokyo Marine (Europe) and the Kennedy
Marr Group. Most recently he was sales
manager at Ericom Software where he spe-
cialised in advising clients about cyberse-
curity threats.
Based in London, Toby has been focused
on winning business in the offshore sector
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 32
Ocean Technologies Group adds crew
management SaaS to portfolio
www.oceantg.com
Ocean Technologies Group (OTG) has
incorporated its crew management soft-
ware-as-a-service (SaaS) tool, Compas,
into its suite of services, introducing a
third pillar alongside its learning and fleet
management solutions.
The addition of the Crew Management
SaaS platform to OTG’s portfolio demon-
strates a big step in furthering its agenda to
bring knowledge and enablement tools to
empower the human element in shipping.
The addition also reflects the increasing
importance of effective management of
human resource management to world
trade.
OTG currently serves over a million sea-
farers, connecting them with maritime pro-
fessionals ashore and providing support
both in their work and career development.
The ongoing COVID crisis has intro-
duced significant disruptions to seafarers
and their shore-based colleagues in rou-
tine operations including crew changes,
crew training, procurement, maintenance
etc. With fewer personnel at sea and
ashore and qualified crew harder to find,
the importance of retaining talent and sup-
porting seafarers in their work has never
been more important. Ship managers are
increasingly turning to SaaS that they can
integrate across their fleet to enable com-
pliant and efficient performance from their
workforce and the vessels they manage.
Manish Singh, CEO of OTG said: “Our
group companies have a combined track
record of over a hundred years in pro-
actively delivering solutions for the most
pressing challenges facing seafarers and
ship managers. The current operating
environment demands unified solutions to
manage complex operations with efficient
labour-saving workflows and improved
data portability.
“In our dialogue with blue-chip cus-
tomers, we see a strong desire for joined
up, turn-key solutions that enable insights
across personnel and vessel performance
and the monitoring and measurement of
KPIs in a single place. With our new com-
bined offering we have a great opportuni-
ty to make this dream a reality.”
“We have a comprehensive investment
where demand for ever increasing report-
ing accuracy, especially regarding fuel con-
sumption, has been paramount.
“Since joining ioCurrents I’ve not had a
minute to spare. The new decarbonisation
regulations coming into force means that
charterers are under pressure to reduce
fuel emissions by up to 80 per cent, so hav-
ing accurate dashboards that can produce
reports in real-time is an absolute must,”
Harris noted.
“ioCurrents has the right capabilities to
help provide the most up to date informa-
tion so charterers can view the results and
make instant improvements in consultation
Manish Singh, CEO of OTG
programme backing Cornel and the
Compas team to add implementation and
development capacity and bring transfor-
mative solutions to our customers.”
Compas CEO Cornel Ciocan comment-
ed: “We have enjoyed fruitful partnerships
with OTG’s brands over the years and
now as fellow OTG companies with even
closer alignment of our platforms, we will
be able to offer best-of-breed specialisation
with “out of the box” interoperability,
bringing significant efficiencies and new
possibilities to our customers.”
Rune Lyngaas CEO of Tero Marine, the
division that powers OTG fleet manage-
ment solutions via its TM Master software
platform, explained: “We see trends in the
market that more and more customers
want to buy fully integrated systems that
include a full HR solution for Crew
Management. We regard Compas as the
best-in-class crew management solution
and in joining forces we are now able to
co-develop solutions that will bring an
unparalleled value proposition for ship
managers and seafarers with workflows
across learning management, fleet man-
agement and crew management. Almost
every one of Compas’ customers already
relies on OTG for learning and in many
cases our TM master solutions. We know
that bringing our companies together will
be highly appreciated by our joint cus-
tomers and our aim is to offer combined
SaaS enablement to more of our customers
going forward.”
with vessel owners. Fuel emission reduction
and parts failure predictions saves both
time and money by reducing the amount of
vessel off-hires, leading to greater opera-
tional efficiencies,” he continued.
“We’re so pleased to have Toby on board
and I’d like to welcome him to the compa-
ny. His wealth of experience in the charter-
ing and brokering sectors will be a great
asset as we expand into Europe. He can
demonstrate how ioCurrents can provide
the answers for these markets to enable
them to function more efficiently and com-
ply with all necessary maritime regula-
tions,” said Jesse Brink, ioCurrents CEO.
p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 4
SOL-X introduces SmartWatch for seafarers
www.sol-x.co
SOL-X has introduced a new certified
SmartWatch to improve safety and crew
wellbeing onboard ships and enhance
health intelligence.
Seafarers face multiple risks to their
health and wellbeing, which can affect
safety, performance, and livelihoods.
According to the European Maritime
Safety Agency (EMSA) 2019 annual
overview of maritime casualties and inci-
dents study, 66 per cent of incidents are
caused by human factors, with crew
fatigue and lack of situational awareness
being major contributing causes.
SOL-X’s new tool provides connected
wellbeing programs, real time visibility
to front line crew operations, and
enhances crew situational awareness ves-
sel wide. The SOL-X SmartWatch is ATEX
Zone 1 Certified for use in hazardous
environments.
The SmartWatch is integrated with
SOL-X’s SAFEVUE.ai platform, a industrial grade 1.78” touch screen,
behavioural based safety 4.0 system, cen-
tered around human factors.
Key features of SmartWatch include:
Pro-active workload management:
Working hours act as an important data
point in managing crew fatigue, however it
can be difficult for crew and supervisors to
keep track of these accurately with current
systems. The Workload Management fea-
ture enables crew to track their Work Rest
hours conveniently and accurately from
their wrist. More importantly, this data is
aggregated for supervisors on the SAFE-
VUE.ai vessel dashboard, along with
proactive alerts when crew need to rest
and indicating those who are available to
replace them.
The wellness information captured on
the SmartWatch can also help monitor
New app launches to strengthen seafaring community
www.seav.io
A new social networking and community
platform called seaV has been launched to
help millions of seafarers record their
experiences and tell their stories of life and
work at sea.
seaV invites seafarers to connect with
each other to share their knowledge and
expertise with those who follow them to
help build a stronger and more supported
global maritime community.
Shore-based colleagues and the wider
community can use seaV to follow and
more easily engage and remain in closer
contact with friends and family who are
working at sea and the ships they work on.
The community operates via a free
smart phone app which uses AIS ship
tracking data to automatically enrich
users’ experience records, both live and
historically.
seaV launches at a time when many sea-
farers have been stranded on ships or
struggled to return home during the pan-
demic. seaV allows users to evidence in
words and pictures what is happening,
where they have been, how far they have
compliance with corporate HSE policies
and measure effectiveness. Crew activity
data is aggregated (and anonymised) and
can be used to baseline and then compared
across vessels for the purpose of HSE pro-
gram design or reviews.
Heat stress management: Vessel envi-
ronment may expose crew to high heat
working conditions, resulting in heat
stress. Heat stress can lead to impaired
SmartWatch is integrated with SOL-X’s SAFEVUE.ai platform, a behavioural based safety
4.0 system, centered around human factors
judgements, health injuries and is a con-
tributing factor to crew fatigue. SOL-X
SmartWatch records temperature and
humidity of the individual’s surrounding
area and these measurements are mapped
against Heat Index tables. If a crew mem-
ber is deemed to be exposed to a danger-
ous level of heat over a sustained period,
the individual is alerted to take necessary
sailed and how the pandemic has affected
them.
The platform has been created by two
British entrepreneurs, naval architect Will
Ellison and technology expert Ed Brunyee.
They previously worked together on a pro-
ject using AIS ship tracking data to analyse
the flow of commodities, providing a
unique perspective on the global economy.
Their experience of the shipping indus-
try and time spent developing innovative
uses for ship tracking was the inspiration
for seaV.
Ellison said: “The pandemic has made it
an incredibly challenging 18 months for
seafarers. It’s very important that we hear
their stories and acknowledge their
achievements. seaV can help.
“Seafarers play a critical role in the
global supply chain but all too often this
goes unnoticed by us, the end consumer,
and to some extent by parts of the shipping
industry itself.
“What makes seaV different from other
platforms is that it goes well beyond just
job hunting and recruitment. Autonomous
data capture requires minimum input
from the user, but gives them large
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 33
steps to mitigate potential heat induced
injuries.
Heart rate and fitness monitoring:
SOL-X SmartWatch empowers crew with
real-time wellbeing information, which
they can use to manage their broader
health and fatigue levels. Based on indus-
try health standards, if their heart rate
measurements are detected as being high,
proactive alerts will notify workers to
hydrate and rest as needed; and if feeling
unwell, the crew is advised further to seek
proper medical advice. There is also a fit-
ness tracker feature in the SmartWatch to
track daily step goals and promote healthy
living. This data can be used to more effec-
tively measure and track efficacy of
Corporate Wellness programmes.
Geofence high hazard zones: From
amounts of rich, interesting content to
share with their colleagues, friends and
family.”
The app allows users to automatically
build digital logs, track every sea journey
and build their professional and personal
networks all in a single place.
It uses ship tracking technology to auto-
matically record voyage details, miles
sailed and port call information. As well as
tracking live activity, historical AIS data
archives allow users to generate this infor-
mation for their past experience within
minutes of downloading the app.
Brunyee said: “It’s encouraging to see
an increasing number of initiatives and
programmes aimed at helping seafarers
and we hope seaV will become a focal
point for these efforts. The majority of new
technology and innovation within ship-
ping usually focuses on the bottom line
rather than benefiting the men and women
who make shipping happen.
“seaV is important because it puts the
maritime community first. It is free to
access and is dedicated to providing an
important network for seafarers to tell their
stories, as well as providing essential data
Digital Ship
their SmartWatch, every crew member
now has live access to information about
their working environment, helping them
to manage potential exposure risks. When
approaching hazardous zones, crew will
receive GeoFence alerts, warning them of
hazardous work being performed.
Similarly, when they are working in a high
heat environment for extended periods,
they will be proactively alerted to hydrate
and take preventive actions.
Crew assist and location tracking (in
lone work situations): When crew encoun-
ters difficulties, they can use their
SmartWatch to request remote assistance.
SAFEVUE.ai will automatically include
their current location and job context to
accelerate response times. This informa-
tion is particularly important in lone work-
er situations when it can be difficult to
locate crew.
The SmartWatches have been equipped
with custom designed hardware to with-
stand harsh industrial work zones - its
IP67Waterproof rating and extended bat-
tery life, enable crew to remain connected
across the vessel. With its combination of
personal and environmental sensors, the
SmartWatch delivers the real time stream
of wellness information that help manage
their wellbeing and fatigue.
“The SOL-X SmartWatch was devel-
oped with seafarers in mind. Our team of
maritime and safety experts saw a clear
need to use technology to operationalise
behaviour-based health and safety princi-
ples at scale,” said Nigel Koh, chief execu-
tive officer of SOL-X. “Seafarers are now
empowered to take ownership of health
and safety outcomes, while the shore
teams can gain assurance of the right job
being done by the right person, at the right
place and at the right time."
seaV enables seafarers to connect with
each other to share their knowledge
and expertise with others
and information with the utmost of ease.”
The app is available now from iTunes
and Google Play Store.
p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 5

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p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 6
Collaboration is the backbone of the modern shipping workplace,
says VIKAND tech consultant
www.frontm.com
www.vikand.com
Collaboration at the workplace or
workspace today is one of the most vital
aspects as it can determine efficiency and
productivity. However, collaboration is
often misinterpreted as teamwork, but
both are very different. Teamwork is when
a group of individuals works towards a
common goal, but collaboration is when
the output is enhanced as a result of all the
different sets of skills and mindsets coming
together. Collaboration is a much broader
aspect of not just achieving success, but
enhancing it.
According to Dave Bull, senior technol-
ogy consultant at VIKAND, the general
goal of workplace collaboration is to max-
imise the chances of success by administer-
ing an open, communicative, and collabo-
rative experience among all members of an
organisation which, in turn, will maximise
Dave Bull says that the general goal of workplace collaboration is to maximise the chances of success
by administering an open, communicative, and collaborative experience
Weilbach secures IMO approval for digital logbook
www.weilbach.com
Danish maritime software solutions and
products supplier, Weilbach, has achieved
certification for its new digital logbook
platform.
The digital logbook platform is called
WENDIS OneLog and was launched last
year. By digitalising logbooks, shipowners
can save time spent on administrative
tasks and communication between seafar-
ers on board and the office ashore.
The software has been developed and
tested with shipowners to approve it as an
accurate and realistic replacement for
paper logbooks. With this, the platform is
now approved according to the IMO regu-
lation MEPC.312(74) to be used solely on
board in place of paper logbooks.
The OneLog software solution closely
replicates paper logbooks. This makes it
easy to use for seafarers and enables them
to get the platform up and running
the success of a business.
“To enable individual team members to
be their most productive within an organi-
sation, they must first have to be content
with themselves. A significant portion
includes basic physical and mental well-
ness. This can be a challenge on land and
obviously, it can further deteriorate at sea
with the added challenges of remoteness, a
lack of direct family contact, possibly no
access to professional counsellors, and a
lack of privacy. This could then compound
what would normally be considered a
minor issue into a much more complex sit-
uation,” explained Bull.
Software company FrontM has part-
nered with VIKAND to provide a solution
that helps seafarers improve their mental
health while working at sea. The solution
is called VIKAND Direct and acts as an ‘in
your pocket’ medical professional or coun-
sellor. The tool is staffed 24/7, 365 days a
year and is able to grow to understand the
straight away while staying compliant
with regulations.
The details of the vessel do not need to
be entered in every logbook in OneLog.
Vessel details are only added once.
OneLog will then share the details with the
logbooks in the system. For audit purpos-
es, all data put into OneLog is saved in the
history, even if the data is deleted.
According to Weilbach, secure role-based
access maintains procedures on board.
“The market is looking for digital solu-
tions that can support shipowners and sea-
farers in simplifying communication
between the ships and the office ashore. By
digitalising logbooks, all information and
communication are available and visible
online immediately,” said Martin
Mikkelsen, director of business develop-
ment, Weilbach.
“This means that shipowners can cut
costs by not spending time and money
waiting for the right information from the
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 35
individual, just like a doctor does onshore.
The service can be as basic as a ‘hi how are
you feeling’ to assisting with a full physical
and/or mental wellness programme cus-
tomised to the individual crew member’s
needs. The solution has been championed
by the collaboration of both Peter Hult and
Kiran Venkatesh.
“The overall goal is to leverage technol-
ogy to provide medical support at the ear-
liest possible opportunity to ensure any
medical or wellness improvements are
recognised and addressed, thus preventing
any further complications.
“When an individual’s personal wellness
is on track then the focus can be around
goals, team cohesion, minimal downtime
which will recognise an organisation’s full
potential and productivity,” says Bull.
He believes that in the next 10 years, the
demands and expectations from end-users
for communications onboard ships will
change, driving technology providers to
ship and sending logbooks to vessels with
a courier. Also, they can report back to
their customers and visualise information
Weilbach’s digital logbook has secured IMO approval
Digital Ship
deliver the highest quality solutions at
competitive pricing. “It forces the
providers to cooperate and provide ‘an
end-to-end’ seamless solution. Satellite
connectivity in the maritime market will
not only have to look after the usual pas-
sengers and crew bandwidth demands
that are both entertainment and welfare-
related, but the increasing use of smart
apps for just about everything in our lives
– including VIKAND Direct will also be a
baseline expectation.
“Today, seafarers almost have an accep-
tance of latency and ‘gaps’ in coverage.
This will not be acceptable in the next few
years and the minimal expectations for a
service will be for it to be at par with what
we would get on land/home offices.
“LOE (Low Earth Orbit) satellites have
captured the imagination of the world
with widely televised launches by compa-
nies like SpaceX – if we just look at their
success and future proposals, they have
filed documents with telecommunications
authorities that show it has plans to launch
40,000 small satellites – that is triple the
number put into orbit by humans in histo-
ry thus far. SpaceX already has permission
to place 12,000 satellites with a wireless
internet service called Starlink. Other key
satellite companies include Inmarsat (UK),
Iridium Communications (US), Thurava
(UAE), Hughes Network Services (US),
and KVH Industries (US) who are also
pushing forward in partnerships and tech-
nology advancements.
“The traditional leaders in satellite com-
panies have recognised these needs and
are addressing them. One of the major
players is Inmarsat who has announced
new services in new places for Global
mobility customers in maritime, aviation,
government, and enterprise. The commu-
nications network is called ORCHESTRA
that will bring together existing GEO satel-
lites with LOE and terrestrial 5G into one
harmonious single solution.”
about e.g. fuel consumption, the route and
who is on board because this is part of the
data in the log books.”
p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 7

SOFTWARE AND SENSORS

Wärtsilä cloud simulation added to OTG’s Ocean Learning Platform

www.oceantg.com ing pathways.
www.wartsila.com It is immediately available to a com-
bined customer pool of over 3,000 shipping
Wärtsilä Voyage’s Cloud Simulation companies and training centres, plus over
Solution is now available on Ocean a million seafarers, making training,
Technologies Group’s (OTG) Ocean assessment, and certification possible any
Learning Platform. time, and from anywhere in the world.
This includes instructor-led interactive Wärtsilä Voyage simulation users will
simulation training, automated assessment gain access to the Ocean Learning
solutions, and a growing library of self- Platform’s online user experience and a
directed simulation exercises suitable for a wide range of tools to plan, deliver, and
wide range of deck and engineering learn- report on seafarer training. These include
Wärtsilä Voyage’s Cloud Simulation Solution is now available on Ocean Technologies
Group’s Ocean Learning Platform. Source: Wärtsilä
virtual classrooms for remote collaboration
in mission brief and debrief, rapid e-
Learning allowing users to quickly create,
publish and distribute e-Learning content
from within the Ocean Learning Platform
(OLP), and the industry’s broadest library
of maritime training content found in the
Ocean Learning Library.
The two companies had announced
their strategic partnership in February this
year to share their expertise and resources
and provide all maritime learning stake-
holders – shipping companies, maritime
training providers, manning agencies and
seafarers – with a unique end-to-end learn-
ing platform by bringing all stakeholders
together in one ecosystem that enables
seamless collaboration and growth.
“In just six months since our collabora-
tion was announced, we have been able to
bring our innovative teams together to
design, plan and deliver a truly unique
solution that combines our complemen-
tary technologies to provide tangible bene-
fits to maritime training – accessibility,
flexibility, cost efficiencies, and important-
ly, new possibilities such as bringing
advanced simulation-based training closer
to the flow of work,” said Neil Bennett,
business development director, global sim-
ulation, Wärtsilä Voyage.
The experiential learning platform aims
to provide the industry with the broadest
and most comprehensive range of mar-
itime specific digital learning solutions
available under one roof.
Closing the skill gaps
With online access to both instructor-led
simulator training and self-directed simu-
lated scenarios, Wärtsilä Voyage’s Cloud
Simulation reduces the cost and time, cre-
ating immediate and tangible benefits for
all stakeholders alike.
“It represents another important incre-
mental step towards creating a more con-
nected maritime learning ecosystem,
bringing stakeholders closer together and
consolidating more seafarers learning data
all in one place for performance analysis
and insights,” added Bennett.
Transitioning into the digital future
As the industry rapidly moves towards
digitalisation and decarbonisation, the
platform also aims to support mariners to
continually and conveniently upgrade
their competence in a commercially viable
way. Smart solutions and green technolo-
gy will fall flat if mariners are not trained
properly to handle the new systems and
processes. And providing high-quality
training and assessment using only tradi-
tional techniques will pose a significant
commercial challenge.
“This is just the beginning of a very
exciting and potentially game-changing
collaboration that can help to support
developing more competent, efficient,
safer, and environmentally aware mariners
able to succeed in our rapidly changing,
digitised maritime industry,” said Bennett.

Island Offshore to digitalise entire fleet with Vessel Insight

www.islandoffshore.com that can give them a competitive advan- starting point to analyse our operations safely as possible, while at the same time
www.kongsberg.com tage in the market, as well as helping them and compare all the vessels in the fleet,” making our fleet even more sustainable by
to achieve their goals for safety, efficiency stated Trond Hauge, technical manager, reducing fuel consumption. With increas-
Island Offshore has signed up its entire and sustainability.” Island Offshore. “In this way we can share ing demands for reporting, moving from a
fleet of 26 advanced offshore service ves- “By collecting all data on one common experiences between the vessels and manual to an automated reporting process
sels to Kongsberg Digital’s Vessel Insight. platform, we gain a correct and efficient ensure that we operate as efficiently and will save us a lot of work.”
This is one of the largest contracts for
Vessel Insight since the software solution
was launched in 2019.
By installing the Vessel Insight infras-
tructure, Island Offshore will collect all the
data from its fleet using a common plat-
form. The data collected will enable the
company to use advanced decision support
tools and benchmark its vessels, comparing
operational data from all vessels to reduce
fuel consumption and emissions. It will also
facilitate automation of reporting processes.
Four vessels in the Island Offshore fleet
are already connected to the Vessel Insight
platform, using the Kongsberg Maritime
Vessel Performance application and
MARESS, a partner application from
Yxney Maritime, available via Vessel
Insight's Maritime Ecosystem. This has led
to the four vessels moving from manual to
automated reporting in a very short time.
Kongsberg Digital is now installing the
Vessel Insight platform on the remaining
vessels in the fleet.
“We are very pleased to contribute to
further strengthening KONGSBERG’s col-
laboration with Island Offshore,” said
Andreas Jagtøyen, executive vice president
of digital ocean at Kongsberg Digital. “We
look forward to working closely with them
to deliver and further develop solutions Island Offshore will deploy Kongsberg Digital’s Vessel Insight cloud data infrastructure solution across its 26-vessel fleet

Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 36

p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 8
Q88 launches new platform to help unlock value from data
www.corp.q88.com
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) technology
provider Q88 has launched Q88PRO, a
platform that provides shipowners a
faster, simpler, and more complete view of
their fleet and the global tanker supply.
Providing a complete view of the mar-
ketplace from a single, central access point,
Q88PRO allows the user to upload and
access fleet data and positions, and easily
compare their data to the competitive
environment.
The system integrates data sources,
including global fixtures, and delivers
insightful statistics to facilitate better deci-
sion-making.
Moreover, it uses advanced analytics to
track supply trends over time by analysing
data based on geographic criteria com-
bined with vessel-specific data to deliver
relevant, timely market insights.
Shipowners can capitalise on the open
position predictive modelling, last cargo’s
view, TCE calculator and more, to antici-
Harbor Lab launches instant Port Cost Estimator
www.harborlab.com
Online disbursements accounting platform
provider, Harbor Lab, has introduced a new
online tool that instantly generates estimat-
ed port costs for shipping companies.
The Port Cost Estimator provides oper-
ators with estimated port expenses to sup-
port timely voyage cost calculations and
decision making, to fix the best option for
the vessel.
Harbor Lab’s new instant Port Cost Estimator can be used on a mobile device. Source:
Harbor Lab
pate conditions and better plan voyages.
Updated AIS positions from multiple
providers allow the user to keep track of its
fleet and competitive positions in the mar-
ket with advanced search criteria.
Q88’s advanced API allows integration
with a customer’s existing software to
enable seamless collaboration with co-
workers, regardless of location.
“From the beginning, our focus was to
create tools to make commercially operat-
ing vessels more efficient and profitable. I
am very excited about this announcement
as it continues that call to action that we
are so focused on here at Q88”, said Fritz
Heidenreich, founder and CEO of Q88.
“Q88PRO is another step forward in our
journey to create tools that help turn data
into meaningful information,” said Don
Black, chief commercial officer of Q88.
“Shipowners and commercial operators
have stated their interest in obtaining time-
ly information that will make them more
competitive and we are confident that
Q88PRO achieves this”.
Traditionally port tariffs are obtained
directly from the port or ship’s agent, are
time consuming to get hold of and are
often the final expense operators need to
complete TCE (time charter equivalent)
calculations to secure a shipment.
With Harbor Lab’s new tool, an opera-
tor inputs the vessel’s name, port of
arrival, activity - for example loading/ dis-
charging - cargo type and quantity, and
other vessel specifications. The software,
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 37
Q88PRO helps shipping companies to gain better insight from their data
which can be accessed via any web-
enabled computer or mobile device, then
instantly calculates an approximate cost
based on these details.
The tool went live in July 2021 and com-
plements Harbor Lab’s Disbursement
Accounting (DA) Tool launched in March
last year.
The Port Cost Estimator is powered by
the DA Tool’s data and algorithms to pro-
vide accurate estimations.
Victoria terminal automates processes
with Navis N4 upgrade
www.navis.com
www.vict.com.au
Victoria International Container Terminal
(VICT) – the first fully automated terminal
in Australia– has completed its automa-
tion upgrade of Navis’ N4 TOS.
VICT is located at Webb Dock in the
Port of Melbourne, the largest container
port in Australia. The terminal’s owner,
International Container Terminal Services
(ICTSI), implemented N4 at its greenfield
project to help power its planned, fully
automated container terminal. Since
becoming operational, the terminal has
continued to set benchmarks handling the
largest vessel in capacity, highest
exchange in a single call and the longest
vessel to call at the port.
VICT’s value of service is key to the
Victorian, Tasmanian and Australian sup-
ply chain in the Port of Melbourne, there-
fore improving its ability to handle
increased capacity, safely and efficiently,
is critical to its customers. Now that the
terminal is preparing for its phase three
expansion, VICT’s relationship with criti-
cal automation suppliers, like Navis, is
vital to constantly improve services to
Digital Ship
Whilst estimations generated by the
software are instant, they are customised
to the specific vessel requirements taking
into account all details supplied. Costs are
calculated using real-time port data gath-
ered from across the globe by Harbor Lab’s
team of data scientists and experienced
maritime professionals.
Users can generate unlimited port cost
calculations with an annual fixed fee for
use of the tool.
maintain and service growth in the port.
“By continuing to optimise through
automation upgrades and continuous
improvement analysis, VICT strives to
deliver the best possible service to our cus-
tomers,” said Jon Wheeler, COO at VICT.
“By upgrading our TOS through constant
collaboration between Navis and our
internal automation team, VICT’s focus is
to consistently improve operational safety
and productivity efficiencies for all our
stakeholders. Since the upgrade, we have
seen continuity in uptime, reduced excep-
tion handling, berth productivity
improvement, and greater efficiencies
with our industry-leading landside opera-
tion of multiple containers. We are looking
forward to working with Navis and
enhancing our waterside operations
further.”
The latest enhancements at VICT
include an upgrade to N4 3.8 AutoShuttle
scheduler which improves the user experi-
ence, reducing exception handling by
automating workflows. Additional bene-
fits include an optimal AutoShuttle dis-
patch, increased system robustness and
uptime, and shortened truck turnaround
time for trucks with multiple transactions.
p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 9
SOFTWARE AND SENSORS
GSBN’s blockchain platform goes live
www.gsbn.trade
Global Shipping Business Network’s
(GSBN) blockchain platform built in part-
nership with Oracle, Microsoft, AntChain
and Alibaba Cloud has officially gone live
to accelerate digital transformation in the
global trade sector.
The consortium was first founded by
eight global shipping lines and terminal
operators accounting for one in every three
containers handled in the world. GSBN has
been working with the four technology
companies to build the infrastructure
needed to enable modern, efficient and
global trade.
To ensure the control of data by GSBN
members, data is encrypted before it is
sent to the GSBN platform, hence, GSBN
cannot see the data without the members’
authorisation.
To build the underlying blockchain net-
work for its global trade operating system,
GSBN partnered with Oracle to harness its
Oracle Blockchain platform in Oracle
Cloud, which is recognised as a distributed
ledger platform for building an enterprise-
grade, permissioned blockchain.
FUTURE EVENTS
By using blockchain technology, GSBN
is able to enable collaboration between
disparate and often competing market
participants.
For the platform layer, GSBN chose
to harness Microsoft Azure Southeast
Asia Region in Singapore for its high
scalability, functionality and security.
Furthermore, Azure’s Availability Zones
ensure high service reliability and
availability.
For deployment in China, Ant Group's
AntChain was selected. With its
blockchain, secure computing, IoT and
other innovative technologies, AntChain
provides an enterprise-grade, efficient and
reliable platform, and was listed by
research firm IDC as the top-ranked
provider in the Blockchain-as-a-Service
market of China in 2020. This is further
supported by Alibaba Cloud, which has
been recognised as first in Asia Pacific for
Infrastructure as a Service by research firm
Gartner in the past few years.
Earlier this year, GSBN has announced
selecting IQAX as the technology partner
to develop and operate the blockchain
platform.
COMING
www.thedigitalship.com
Digital Ship October / November 2021 page 38
GSBN’s blockchain technology aims to accelerate digital
transformation in the global trade sector
IOTICS to build digital twin of Portsmouth Port
www.iotics.com
www.portsmouth-port.co.uk
IOTICS is creating a digital twin of
Portsmouth International Port as part of an
ambitious £1.5 million project to demon-
strate an achievable modular green hydro-
gen generation system within the port.
The Shipping, Hydrogen & Port
Ecosystems UK (SHAPE UK) project is
part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration
Competition, funded by the Department
for Transport and delivered in partnership
with Innovate UK.
Portsmouth International Port has an
ambitious plan to become the first carbon
neutral UK port by 2030, and the first zero-
emission port by 2050.
IOTICS and its partners will create a dig-
ital twin of the port, interoperating with
existing and emerging data from the port
infrastructure and its activities as well as
gathering data from the working hydrogen
electrolyser. The IOTICS-enabled semanti-
cally defined digital twins, interoperating
with data sources uncovered by KnowNow
and deployed by Barter4Things will be an
amalgamation to virtualise both dockside
and offshore activities. Connected Places
Catapult and Portsmouth University will
leverage data from the digital twins within
the port ecosystem to enhance and optimise
operations with decision-support tools.
“As a port operating in the heart of a
major city, and that is owned by the people
of Portsmouth, we have an obligation to
do everything we can to minimise our
impact as we continue to grow in the com-
ing years,” said Jerry Clarke, senior project
manager at Portsmouth International Port.
The digital twin approach will create a
scalable model that is translatable for
other ecosystems, use cases and locations,
offering a flexible foundation for further
development.
Sophie Peachey, head of customer suc-
cess at IOTICS said: “This project gives us
many options to showcase the value of a
digital twin approach by reusing data
across different use cases. We will be look-
ing at the business benefits for deploying
renewable and clean fuels as well as the
logistics of refuelling onshore equipment
and sea-going vessels in a busy port. We’ll
also be setting up the foundations of ways
to look at environmental impacts of
switching to clean fuel sources."
Dr David Hutchinson, a reader in envi-
ronmental innovation and innovation and
impact development manager for the
Faculty of Technology at the University of
Portsmouth, said: “The Government has a
very ambitious environmental target within
the maritime sector. SHAPE UK represents
a milestone in the move to innovative low-
cost green hydrogen generation and storage
systems that bring significant reduction in
carbon emissions and air pollution in and
around Portsmouth and other UK ports.”
p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 10

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p30-40 Software_p1-14.qxd 27/09/2021 07:35 Page 11

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+1.480.333.2200
sales@comtechefdata.com
www.comtechefdata.com
 Speak to
our experts at

Find us at
stand 3304
Are you ready
for the future of
maritime connectivity?
AST and OneWeb believe that connectivity at sea
should be as seamless and simple as it is onshore.

Fast Flexible Reliable

Speak to one of our experts to

discuss your individual requirements
theastgroup.com/oneweb
 EASYNAV

Voyage Planning
Made EASY
 - Intuitive Passage Planning
- Automated hazard checking
- Passage Plan Optimization
- ADP Integration
- Piracy Integration
- Weather Integration
- AIO Integration

Chart Track EASYNAV has been designed to allow mariners to plan routes with ease, which ensure
the safety of the vessel, efficient navigation and the protection of the marine environment.

The software allows Digital ENC updates to be received, along with Piracy, AIO and weather updates,
on the back of bridge which can be transferred to the ECDIS.
Simple function keys and an advanced graphical design ensures an intuitive and user-friendly
interface.

The user interface has been developed for full touch screen compatibility

For more information or to arrange a trial, please contact us www.charttrack.com

 For the first time
Magnetron-Free Radar Solution
The first IMO-compliant magnetron-free solution for commercial vessels with new NXT
Solid-State Radars, now available in both X-band/S-band configurations with the addition
of new X-band models to our Radar lineup: FAR-NXT 2xx8 Radar and FAR-3xxx Chart Radar.

Solid State Radar model - NXT - for target detection and maintainability

Furuno NXT Solid-State Radars use electronic components to

generate microwave pulse and therefore, require much less power
than magnetron Radars. This technology does not wear out and does
not require any particular maintenance, significantly reducing
operating costs. Finally, there is no pre-heating making the startup
time much faster than with a magnetron.

FAR-3xxx series FAR-23x8 series

 Refined antenna with excellent reliability and easy maintenance

Advanced technologies for safe navigation

Fast Target Tracking™ function that provides early-stage collision avoidance
Automatic Clutter Elimination (ACE) for unprecedented echo clarity

ACE OFF ACE ON

Exceptionally intuitive user interface with the InstantAcces bar™

InstantAccess bar™

Radar function
menu

Display setting
menu

Discover our latest solutions for Deepsea at

www.furuno.com
Unsure how to successfully
adopt a technical Fleet
Management System?

7 tips to a Successful Implementation

1. IDENTIFY important stakeholders

2. ALLOCATE resources and competences
3. A SPECIFICATION matching your needs
4. COORDINATE the IT installation
5. PRIORITIZE training
6. PREPARE your data
7. SEEK external inspiration

Get more information and download the

full article on sertica.com/download

sertica.com
sertica@rina.org
Maritime
Connect
Advanced maritime
network solutions
Reliable connectivity
where it matters most

Manage your connectivity and applications on board The future of maritime

comm nunication will need:

Overcome your challenges with global satellite connectivity

Seamless global coverage
The maritime industry is on the threshold of rapid technological change. Shipping companies need Always-on broadband service
to incorporate new digital solutions to remain competitive and shipping fleet operators need to High reliability and availability
automate and digitise onboard processes to ensure optimum performance, efficiency and reliability. Guaranteed service level
agreements
Enhanced satellite coverage with Orange Business Services and SES Scalability to support future
data growth including voice,
Orange Business Services has partnered with SES Networks, the world's only multi-orbit satellite video and telemedicine
player, to deliver reliable, high-performance broadband services everywhere, from developed
markets to the hardest-to-reach places on the seas of the world. Tiered performance levels allow
you to cost-effectively scale up your bandwidth with seamless, ubiquitous and global services.

The Orange Business Services and SES Network’s partnership offers:

■ Global fibre-like, low-latency services

■ Worldwide coverage via multiple geostationary satellites and gateways connected
by a global terrestrial network Find out more about how we
■ Over 70 satellites in two different orbits can help you to modernize your
maritime network and deliver
This higher bandwidth enables: seamless, cost-effective global
connectivity for your fleet.
■ New applications: Including Office 360, AWS, Oracle, Salesforce, cloud apps, video on demand
■ Real-time business: Work environment, services for end users, business processes and apps, Contact our sales team
Luxembourg
machine-to-machine communications, customer relationship management software and more on our website
Woodbine
■ Internet as a convergence enabler: Application services, infrastructure optimization, multimedia
Manassas
communication
Honolulu

■ Integrated business applications: Including IT integration, real-time access, remote intervention,

crew entertainment and safety
■ Airtime: VoIP, email, crew calling and SMS, internet access

Orange Restricted
MAKE MARITIME
DIGITALISATION
A REALITY
New technologies are changing commercial maritime. Electronic information
exchange, vessel operations optimisation, cloud-based systems, and smart
sensor networks are delivering more efficient, safer fleets for container ship
owners and crews.

We deliver you the only integrated GEO-MEO solution for ultra-high capacity,
ultra-reliable connectivity, empowering the digital transformation of your
global fleet with always-on internet wherever you sail. Anywhere in the world.

Reliable
connectivity

Fully scalable

Managed service
models

Future-proofed for
emerging tech
Make Budgets Go Further Offshore
 Better Data equals
Better Decisions

Cloud-First, Not Quick and Easy Integrate Everything you

Cloud-Retrofitted Startup “Sea”

Built from the ground up to run Small learning curve and no Integrates your currently used

online for smoother operation onsite infrastructure required systems and existing work-

and real -time updates – you’re operational in just flows seamlessly – right out of

wherever you work. days. the box.

sales@q88.com www.q88.com
US: +1 203 413 2030 | UK: +44 20 3998 9360 | SG: +65 6909 0880 | GR: +30 211 012 6984
 eLog
electronic
Logbook

The Anschütz eLog is an electronic logbook

consisting of a small gateway computer and a
web browser application. eLog enables auto-
mated and digitized logbook entries that eli-
minate the cost and effort of paper logbook
logistics while guaranteeing high data quality
and global data access via a cloud.

Key
Benefits
Trust in Secure, global Efficient and
data quality available data cost-effective

Less operational risk eLog uses blockchain The starting point for
thanks to legible, comple- technology and a data more efficient processes
te and consistent entries. interface to a cloud. onboard and for reports.

Automatic data inputs Personalized accounts Easy re-use without

of navigational sensor and approval work�ow
data, additional through all command
supported data entries levels
User-friendly templates Secure, tamperproof
for fast and reliably digital archiving of data
logbook records Data access from
Plausibility checks of anywhere in the world
logbook data through a generic,
modern web interface
Relief for crews,
especially in stressful Documentation is
situations always under control of
the owner
copying or photo-
graphy
No more costs and
efforts for paper
logbook logistic and
handling
Growing scope of
logbooks marks a
signi�cant step toward
paperless shipping

Learn Digitized books with high data quality and

global data access
more
Visit www.raytheon-anschuetz.com/eLog,
learn how our eLog will offer improved efficiency
of logbook logistics and data usage aboard and
ashore, and get a free demo.
 Rates
starting at

€2
per GB
p20-29 Satcoms_p1-14.qxd 30/09/2021 13:48 Page 4
Connect Your Data. Make Smarter Decisions.
Drive Sustainable Results.

LEARN MORE TODAY SAFETY LEADERSHIP

www.eagle.org/mydigitalfleet IN A CHANGING WORLD